PH's 16TH MINOR BASILICA. Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos (right) leads other bishops in Central Luzon and priests from the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan in a Holy Mass following the conferment of the Minor Basilica title to the Church of Orani on Thursday (December 12, 2019). Pope Francis conferred the revered title 'Minor Basilica' to the Church of Orani, the 16th in the Philippines. (Photo by Ernie Esconde)
ORANI, Bataan -- Pope Francis on Thursday conferred the revered title "Minor Basilica" to the Church of Orani here that is more popularly known as the Miraculous Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary Church.
Bishops from Central Luzon and priests from the Balanga Diocese assisted Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos in a Holy Mass following the solemn declaration read in Latin by Father Perry Medina.
Santos led in the removal of the white cloth covering the Papal chair in the altar, signifying it was ready for use by the Pope.
“We must lead to Mary, love her and live like her,” Santos urged the faithful in his homily.
Mary refers to the Miraculous Virgin Mary of the Most Holy Rosary, the patron Saint of Orani.
An image of the Virgin Mary on the beautiful altar of the 309-year old church is believed to be 303 years old.
“Ang Minor Basilica ay isang pribilehiyo na ipinagkakaloob ng Santo Papa. Kapag ang isang simbahan ay Minor Basilica, ito ay tahanan na o simbahan ng Santo Papa (The Minor Basilica is a privilege given by the Pope. Once a church is Minor Basilica, it is already a home or church of the Pope),” said Father Abraham Pantig, parish priest of the Orani Church.
He said that basilica symbols like the Papal chair, umbrella, bell, Vatican logo, among others, can be seen in the altar.
“Kapag dadalaw dito ang Santo Papa, doon sa Papal chair siya mauupo (If the Pope visits here, he will sit at the Papal chair),” Pantig said.
The parish priest said Orani Church has become the 16th Minor Basilica in the Philippines.
He said there are only four Major Basilica located in Rome – St. Peter Basilica, St. Paul Basilica, St. Mary Basilica and St. John Basilica.
“Kaya napakalaking biyaya sa mga taga-Orani, sa buong diocese ng Balanga, sa Bataan na tayo’y pinagkalooban ng Santo Papa. Hindi natatapos sa titulo ng pagiging Minor Basilica, kailangang ipakita nating buhay ang simbahan (Thus, it is a big blessing for the Orani people, in the whole Diocese of Balanga, in Bataan, that the Pope has provided us. It does not end with the title of being a Minor Basilica, we need to show that the church is alive),” Pantig said.
Rep. Geraldine Roman of Bataan’s first district, dressed in a beautiful terno, was among the huge crowd of people inside the church, who attended the Mass and witnessed the conferment of the Minor Basilica title.
Other officials included Governor Albert Garcia, Representative Jose Enrique Garcia III of the province’s second district, Orani Mayor Efren Pascual Jr., Samal town Mayor Aida Macalinao, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan of Orani. (PNA)
