MANILA – The image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel enshrined in a minor basilica in Quezon City will be crowned on August 15.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Minor Basilica of the National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel said the ceremony would be held on the same day as the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A canonical coronation is a pious institutional act, in which the Pope designates a crown or stellar halo to be added to a Marian image under a specific devotional title in a particular diocese.
The historic event will be held while Metro Manila is under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) where religious gatherings, such as public Masses, are prohibited.
At the same time, the Basilica assured prayers for those who contracted and died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“In preparation for this historic event and in solidarity with the most-affected people during this pandemic, we will be praying for our brothers and sisters afflicted with the disease and those who perished because of it,” it said in a statement. “Each day, we will ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede for them, firmly believing that She will bring all the cares and concerns of these people to her Son, Jesus.”
On May 13, Pope Francis approved the canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, the pontifical crowning of the Marian image would be the third such coronation in the diocese.
The two other images are the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary de Manila and the Our Lady of Lourdes. Both are enshrined in two national shrines.
Earlier, the Holy Father entrusted to Jesus’ mother the suffering and anguish of millions of people affected by the global health crisis. (PNA)
