Pope Francis has granted the Minor Basilica title to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church in Orani, Bataan.
According to Balanga, Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, the Vatican Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has granted the title of Minor Basilica to our parish church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Orani.
This is the 16th Minor Basilica Church in the Philippines, declared by the Vatican Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
According to Bishop Santos, Orani Church is the first ever to receive the title among the Diocese of Balanga, considered as an extraordinary privilege conferred from the Holy Pope.
Bishop Santos said “this is truly a blessing to the Diocese of Balanga.”
This, the Bishop said, exemplifies the devotion to the Blessed Mother.
“Truly for us, she is our Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario del Pueblo de Orani.”
The Bishop also expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis.
According to him, this is an immense grace from God, a precious gift from the Holy Father to the devotees of the Diocese of Balanga.
The said title means of the “special bond of communion with the Pope.” It entails criteria of antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and significance as centers of worship.
–Photos from Diocese of Balanga page