ANGELES CITY – The Holy Rosary Parish or Pisamban Maragul here has been elevated to the rank of a minor basilica by Pope Leo XIV.
The honor was granted through the prayers and wishes of the clergy and the Kapampangan Christian faithful, as well as the petition of the Most Rev. Florentino G. Lavarias, DD, Archbishop of San Fernando. The elevation was granted by the Holy Father through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
The Decree (Prot. N 39/26) was received from Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, on Feb. 10 by Rev. Fr. Manuel Sta. Maria, parish priest, along with Rev. Fr. John Henry Yutuc, Parochial Vicar, and HRP resident priests Rev. Fr. Omar Defensor, Rev. Fr. Gian Sagum, and Rev. Fr. Maverick Pelayo at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.
“This honor given to us is not only a testament to the Angeleños’ devotion to the Blessed Mother, but the Kapampangan’s faith as well,” noted Fr. Sta. Maria of the elevation of the church as basilica minore.
The Holy Rosary Parish is the first church in Pampanga to be granted such title and only the 30th in the Philippines. The solemn declaration of the minor basilica will be announced soon. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando FB Page.
