Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the apostolic administrator of Manila Archdiocese celebrates a special Mass in Manila Cathedral to mark the 62nd anniversary of the cathedral's dedication to the Virgin Mary. (Photo supplied)
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as Manila Cathedral, has celebrated the 62nd anniversary of its dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a first metropolitan see.
A metropolitan see is an ecclesiastical or church province headed by an archbishop or a bishop of higher rank or office.
“Today we commemorated the 62nd anniversary of the consecration of the post-war Manila Cathedral,” Manila archdiocese officials said in a social media post on Dec. 10.
A special Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the apostolic administrator of Manila Archdiocese was also held to mark the event.
The congregation's number was limited to only 80 people due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions.
Known as the “mother of all churches in the Philippines,” Manila Cathedral is located within Manila’s historic walled city called Intramuros.
It was first dedicated in 1571 to the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the Philippines when it was originally built as a parish church under the Archdiocese of Mexico. It became a separate diocese on February 6, 1579.
The cathedral also serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila, the post left by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle after he was appointed the Vatican’s Prefect of the Evangelization of Peoples on Dec. 8, 2019.
To also mark its dedication anniversary, Manila Cathedral posted on social media the marker of Pope Francis’ letter given to Cardinal Tagle recognizing the Filipino people’s faith and role in the Catholic Church in 2018.
In his letter, Pope Francis recalled how Manila Cathedral has remained a symbol of Filipinos’ faith through tumultuous times and extreme circumstances.
“This temple, which has truly undergone great changes, destroyed seven times by earthquakes and other calamities through the centuries, was diligently rebuilt again and again by the faithful,” the pope had said.
