MANILA — The Vatican has granted Sta. Cruz Parish Church in Manila the prestigious title of “Minor Basilica,” following Pope Francis’ approval. This distinction places the church among 25 others in the Philippines to hold such a title, highlighting its historical, architectural, and spiritual significance.
Known as the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Sta. Cruz Church now holds a closer connection to the Pope, gaining the right to display the papal symbol of crossed keys. This honor recognizes the church’s role in the community and its rich history.
Founded in 1619, the church initially served the growing Chinese population, with Jesuit priests at its helm. In 1643, a replica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar from Zaragoza, Spain, was enshrined, and Our Lady of the Pillar became the parish’s patroness. The church has faced numerous challenges, including damage from two major earthquakes and destruction during the Battle of Manila in 1945. The current structure, influenced by Baroque design, was completed in 1957.
In 1984, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin restored the church’s original name, and in the 1950s, the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers fostered a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist. In 2018, the church was named the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.
A formal date for the declaration of Sta. Cruz Church as a minor basilica has not yet been set.
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