Antipolo Cathedral Honored with Prestigious Golden Rose by Pope Francis

janimonow

March 3

The International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, located in Antipolo City, has been distinguished with the extraordinary honor of receiving the 'Golden Rose' from Pope Francis. This significant accolade was presented during a mass led by His Excellency, Most Reverend Salvatore "Rino" Fisichella, D.D., marking a historic moment for the Antipolo Cathedral.

The 'Golden Rose' or Rosa d'Oro is a symbol of the highest honor the Supreme Pontiff can bestow upon a Marian image and shrine globally. This tradition, originating from the Middle Ages, involves the Pope blessing roses made of pure gold on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, symbolizing a special papal devotion and recognition.

Antipolo Shrine's reception of the 'Golden Rose' places it as the first Marian Shrine in the Philippines and the third church in Asia to be graced with this honor, following Pope Pius XII's bestowment at the tomb of St. Francis Xavier in Goa, India, and Pope Paul VI's at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

This accolade follows the cathedral's official declaration as an international shrine in January 2024, a recognition that underscores its significance not only in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia. The Vatican's approval in June 2022 to elevate the Antipolo Cathedral to the status of an international shrine further highlights its importance as a center of faith and pilgrimage.

The 'Golden Rose' represents a profound expression of papal esteem and is a testament to the Antipolo Cathedral's spiritual and cultural significance. This honor not only celebrates the shrine's deep Marian devotion but also its role in evangelization and its contribution to the Catholic faith across Asia and the world.