THE Vatican has recently declared the creation of two new “Minor Basilica” in Ilocos Norte and Metro Manila.
Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to confer the title to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Quezon City and the Saint John the Baptist Parish in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, at the request of the officials of both churches.
The Diocese of Cubao, which has jurisdiction on the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and the Diocese of Laoag, which oversees Saint John the Baptist Parish in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, lauded the granting of their requests.
Both will enjoy the privileges, which comes with the title of Minor Basilica, as soon as the bestowing of the said title becomes effective.
These include providing plenary indulgence to those who will participate in the activities of a Minor Basilica.
The title is usually reserved for certain churches that were able to meet certain criteria set by the Catholic Church. The church would be allowed to use the papal symbol in its banner, furnishings and seal and, for the rector of the basilica, a black mozetta with red piping, buttons and button holes.
Among other considerations for the issuance of the title, the church must be a center of active and pastoral liturgy, have the appropriate size with a sufficiently large sanctuary, enjoy certain renown in the diocese and have historical value or have art of considerable value.
With the addition of the two, there will now be 15 Minor Basilicas in the Philippines.