National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, (Filipino: Pambansáng Dambana ng Mahal na Birhen ng Lourdes) better known as Lourdes Church, is a Roman Catholic national shrine in Quezon City, Philippines. The church is under the care of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin of the Philippine Ecclesiastical Province and under the Vicariate of San Pedro Bautista of the Diocese of Cubao.[3]

National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
Pambansang Dambana ng Mahal na Birhen ng Lourdes
Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes
National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
Location in Metro Manila
14°37′49″N 120°59′49″E
LocationKanlaon Corner N.S. Amoranto Ave., (Formerly Retiro St.), Quezon City, Philippines 1114
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.nsollqc.com
History
Former name(s)Parish of Sta. Teresita del Niño Jesus[1]
StatusNational shrine
Founded1892 (First church)
1950 (Current church)
Founder(s)Capuchins
DedicationOur Lady of Lourdes
Associated peopleManuel Flores
(Sculptor of the first images of Our Lady of Lourdes)[2]
Architecture
Functional statusActive
StyleNeoclassic
GroundbreakingJanuary 30, 1950
Completed1951
Demolished1945 (First church, Battle of Manila)
Specifications
MaterialsReinforced concrete
Administration
ArchdioceseArchdiocese of Manila
DioceseDiocese of Cubao
Clergy
ArchbishopMost Rev. Luis Antonio Cardinal G. Tagle, D.D.
Bishop(s)Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D.
Priest(s)Rev. Fr. Cesar F. Acuin, O.F.M. Cap.
(Parish Priest)
Assistant priest(s)Rev. Fr. Ernesto Lagasca, O.F.M. Cap.
(Asst. Parish Priest)

The original church, like the Santo Domingo Church, was located in Intramuros until it was destroyed during World War II.[1] Nonetheless, the two images of Our Lady of Lourdes dating from 1892 and 1894 respectively were hidden and spared during the bombing.[2] Both images stand today in the present church at Quezon City.

The present church was completed and inaugurated in 1951.[2] On 1997, it was declared as a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.[3] Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, the church celebrates its feast or fiesta on February 11, the anniversary of the first apparition in Lourdes, France. In 5 September 2019, Pope Francis issued a decree to permit the Canonical coronation of their Marian image, scheduled for 2 May 2020.

History

Eleven missionaries from Spain arrived in Manila on May 13, 1886 and stayed with the Franciscans in Intramuros.[4] Six of the friars left while the remaining five continued to provide the spiritual needs of the area until they built the first Capuchin house in Gen Luna Street in Intramuros, Manila, opening it to the public on May 8, 1892.

Father Berardo de Cieza requested Manuel Flores to sculpt a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes later that year. A second image was sculpted by the same person with the guidance of Father Antonio of Valencia. In September 1897, Architect Federico Soler started the enlargement of the chapel with help from donations from a Mr Moron. The new church dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was inaugurated on February 3, 1910.[5]

When World War II erupted, the image of Our Lady of Lourdes was kept in the sacristy of San Agustin Church (Manila). It was found intact after the war and was transferred to the chapel of the University of Santo Tomas and later moved to Sta. Teresita Chapel in Mayon Street, Quezon City.[6]

The Capuchins were able to obtain official authorization from the government on February 9, 1946 to the restore the church of Lourdes but decided to build a bigger church on an acquired 10,500 square meter lot located in Retiro Street, Quezon City. The construction of the new church started on January 30, 1950 by Engineer Marquez under the supervision of Father Bienvenido of Arbeiza as Custos.[7]

On February 10, 1951, the two images of Our Lady of Lourdes were transferred to the new church from the temporary shelter in Mayon Street. The church was inaugurated on August 15, 1951, by the archbishop of Manila, Monsignor Reyes who officiated at the mass which was attended by many important people including the President of the Philippine Senate, Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco who represented the Spanish Embassy and Miss Gullon, daughter of the Ambassador.[8][9]

On January 24, 1997, the church was declared National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

Jurisdiction

The church is located on Kanlaon Street at the corner of N.S. Amoranto Street in Sta. Mesa Heights, La Loma, Quezon City. Its boundaries include:[1]

  • G. Araneta Avenue (North Bound)
  • Sta. Catalina Street (West Bound)
  • A. Bonifacio Avenue (South Bound)
  • Blumentritt Street (South Bound)
  • Maria Clara Street (East Bound)

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes covers six parishes:[1]

  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Manila (1951)
  • Santo Domingo, Quezon City (1972)
  • Santa Teresita, Quezon City (1977)
  • Santa Perpetua, Quezon City (1975)
  • San Roque, Manila (1987)
  • Most Holy Redeemer, Quezon City (1994).

Priests

Current clergy
  • Rev. Fr. Cesar F. Acuin, O.F.M. Cap. (Parish Priest)
  • Rev. Fr. Ernesto Lagasca, O.F.M. Cap. (Assistant Parish Priest)

Prior clergy
  • Fr. Fernando de Erasun (1942-1951)
  • Fr. Pedro de Azcoitia (1951-1953)
  • Fr. Fernando de Erasun (1953-1954)
  • Fr. Sebastian de Sanguesa (1954-1961)
  • Fr. Angel de los Arcos (1961-1967)
  • Fr. Sebastian de Sanguesa (1967-1976)
  • Fr. Jesus Salcedo (1976-1979)
  • Fr. Troadio de los Santos (1979-1982)
  • Fr. Jose Luis Arrieta (1982-1991)
  • Fr. Alfredo Micua (1991-1994)
  • Fr. Troadio de los Santos (1994-2002)
  • Fr. Mario G. Dorado (2002-2005)
  • Fr. Ramon C. Atanacio (2005-2011)
  • Fr. Chito B. Bartolo (2011-2014)[1]
  • Fr. William T. Bustamante (2014-2017)
  • Left side of the church (West)
  • Right side of the church (East)
  • The church's main entrance
  • View from the main entrance
  • Close up of the altar

References
  1. "About Us". National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  2. "Lourdes Church History". National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  3. "Parishes Under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao". Diocese of Cubao. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  4. "National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes". http://www.nsollqc.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  5. "Pinoy Churches". http://pinoychurches.wordpress.com/. Retrieved 1 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  6. "National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes". http://www.nsollqc.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  7. "Pinoy Churches". http://pinoychurches.wordpress.com/. Retrieved 1 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  8. "National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes". http://www.nsollqc.com/. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  9. "Pinoy Churches". http://pinoychurches.wordpress.com/. Retrieved 1 June 2014. External link in |website= (help)
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