(Photo courtesy of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto Facebook page)
MANILA – The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc, Manila on Monday announced that its pontifical coronation would be held later this year.
In a social media post, the shrine said Pope Francis has granted the pontifical coronation to the image of the Virgin of Loreto.
“The Solemn Mass and Rite of Laying of Wreath will be held on December 10, 2024, the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, here at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto (Sampaloc, Manila) to be presided by Archbishop Charles John Brown, D.D. (Apostolic Nuncio of the Philippines) with Archbishop of Manila Jose Cardinal Advincula, D.D.,” it said
A pontifical coronation is a pious institutional act, wherein the Pope, through a Papal bull, designates a crown or stellar halo to be added to a Marian image under a specific devotional title in a particular area or diocese.
The shrine also said it would announce more information on the pontifical coronation through its Facebook account.
Over a year ago, the City Council of Manila declared Our Lady of Loreto as the official “Patroness of Sampaloc”.
The declaration was made in a resolution recognizing the strong devotion to the renowned Marian image enshrined at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Sampaloc district.
Founded in 1613, the Parish of Sampaloc located on J. Figueras St. (formerly called Bustillos) is home to the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Loreto.
On Dec. 5, 2005, then Manila archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales elevated the parish as an archdiocesan shrine due to the influx of pilgrims over the years. (PNA)
