A first in the region
TACLOBAN CITY– The Maasin Cathedral in Southern Leyte has been elevated to the status of a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
With this designation, the Maasin Cathedral, also known as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, has become a focal point of devotion and pilgrimage, the CBCP announced in a statement on Saturday.
Similarly elevated to this status was the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Novaliches, Quezon City.
According to the CBCP, these shrines are intended to foster the faith of pilgrims through liturgical celebrations.
The decision was made during the CBCP’s 128th plenary assembly in Cagayan de Oro City.
With its elevation, the Maasin Cathedral becomes the first national shrine in the entire Eastern Visayas region.
The decision was warmly received by parishioners, led by City Mayor Naccional Mercado.
“We are truly honored that our Maasin Cathedral, or the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, has been approved for national shrine status by the CBCP,” Mercado said in a statement posted on his Facebook account.
“Let us always pray with fervent hope that God and Mama Mary will bless our beloved city and lead us to continue in our mission of making Maasin City truly progressive and sustainable, benefiting all our constituents. Viva Nuestra Senora De La Asuncion,” he further added.
For parishioner Edgar Salazar, the elevation of the Maasin Cathedral was indication how pious the people of the city and the rest of the province.
“It is really an honor for us parishioners that Our Lady of Assumption Parish was converted into a national shrine,” he said.
“This only shows how prayerful we are as a people and this could lead for more pilgrims visiting the Maasin cathedral,” Salazar added.
Historically, Maasin became a parish under Jesuit missionaries in 1771. In 1843, when the Franciscans took over, the parish was dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption.
In 1968, when the parish church became a cathedral, the new diocese also adopted Our Lady of the Assumption as its patroness.
The image of Our Lady of the Assumption received an episcopal coronation on August 15, 2018, in a ceremony led by then Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
On August 13, 2022, the venerated image received another episcopal coronation led by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
