The original church was located in Intramuros until it was destroyed during World War II.[1] The venerated Marian image (Lourdes de Manila) enshrined from 1896 was hidden and spared during the bombing.[2] The present church was completed and inaugurated in 1951.[2] In 1997, it was declared as a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.[4]
Eleven missionaries from Spain arrived in Manila on May 13, 1886, and stayed with the Franciscans in Intramuros.[5] Six friars left while the remaining five continued to provide the spiritual needs of the area until they built the first Capuchin house in General Luna Street in Intramuros, Manila, opening it to the public on May 8, 1892.
La Venerada y Coronada Imagen de Nuestra Senora de Lourdes de Manila during its procession after the Canonical Coronation (August 22, 2020)Historical plaque - Manuel Flores Y De Lima
Father Bernardo de Cieza commissioned Manuel Flores Y De Lima to sculpt a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes ("La Primera Imagen") intended for the grotto of the convento. This was later placed inside the Chapel at the urging of those who attended the blessing Capuchins. The first novena to Our Lady of Lourdes took place the following year. In 1894, due to the growing devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, a second image by Flores (“La Venerada Imagen”) was commissioned, under the guidance of Father Antonio de Valencia, and funded by Mrs. Carmen Macan. This second image was completed in time for the feast day in 1896, while the first image (“'La Primera Imagen”)was transferred inside the convento.[6]
After three months, a young woman who was diagnosed with a tumor in her lungs and near death, Doña Martina Azucena, was brought to the chapel after hearing of the miracles and cures of Our Lady of Lourdes. She implored the Blessed Mother’s intercession for her healing. After a full hour of praying in front of the Venerada Imagen, she felt strength slowly return and she walked out of the church with ease. She also testified that she had consumed nothing but Lourdes water for 28 days prior. Each year since on May 16, she offers a solemn Mass in thanksgiving for her cure in 1896.[6]
In September 1897, architects Don Federico Soler and Don José García Moron began enlargement of the chapel with help from donations from a group led by García, Doña Pelagia Velásquez, and Doña Carmen Macan. On May 1, 1898, the United States Navy arrived in Manila, easily destroying the small Spanish fleet. The American occupiers demanded Spain’s surrender, and threatened an attack that would destroy life and property within 24 hours. The next day, hearing of the looming threat of American bombardment of the City of Manila, Capuchin Superior Fr. Alfonso de Morentin prostrated in front of the Venerada Imagen to implore they be saved from destruction, and in return he solemnly vowed to dedicate their new church to her. The deadline passed, and both city and church were spared.
On September 24, 1898, with the approval of Pedro Payo y Piñeiro, Archbishop of Manila, the new church was officially consecrated, with her as the titular patroness. The new church to Our Lady of Lourdes was inaugurated on February 3, 1910.[6]
When World War II broke out, both images of Our Lady of Lourdes were kept in the sacristy of San Agustín Church together with several precious artefacts on February 5, 1945. It was left behind when the women of Intramuros were set free on February 23. It was retrieved a month later and it was brought to the chapel of the University of Santo Tomás and later moved to Santa Teresita Chapel on Mayon Street, Quezon City.[5]
The Capuchins were able to obtain official authorization from the government on February 9, 1946, to the restore the Church of Lourdes, but later shifted plans to build a bigger church on an acquired 10,500-square-metre (113,000sqft) lot located in Retiro Street, Quezon City. Construction on the new church began on January 30, 1950, led by engineer Don Egidio Márquez and designed by architect Luis María Araneta under the supervision of Father Bienvenido Arbeiza as Custos.
On February 10, 1951, the two images of Our Lady of Lourdes were transferred to the new church from its temporary home in Mayon Street. The church was inaugurated on August 15, 1951, by the Archbishop of Manila, Gabriel Reyes, who officiated the Mass attended by many important people including Senate PresidentDonMariano Jesús Cuenco, and Miss Gullon, daughter of the Spanish Ambassador.[5][7]
On February 3, 1987, the church was elevated to the status of Archdiocesan Shrine by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, D.D., Archbishop of Manila. On January 24, 1997, Archbishop Oscar Cruz issued its Decree of Establishment.
In September 5, 2019, Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a papal bull[8]decreeing the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Lourdes image. On August 14, 2021, the Shrine and its altar were solemnly dedicated and blessed by Bishop Ongtioco. During the Centennial celebrations of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes in August 22, 2020, the Most Reverend Honesto Ongtioco, D.D. Bishop of Cubao, pontifically crowned the Venerada Imagen in response to clamour from devotees.[6][9]
Currently, the Shrine's altar, sanctuary and retablo are undergoing renovation and retrofitting.
Organization
Parochial jurisdiction
The church is located on Kanlaon Street at the corner of N.S. Amoranto Street in Sta. Mesa Heights, La Loma, Quezon City. Its current boundaries include:[1]
G. Araneta Avenue (North Bound)
Sta. Catalina Street (West Bound)
A. Bonifacio Avenue (South Bound)
Blumentritt Street (South Bound)
Maria Clara Street (East Bound)
Six parishes have been erected within the former parochial jurisdiction of the shrine, namely:[1]
La Primera Imagen of Our Lady of Lourdes which can be seen at the baptistry
La Venerada Y Coronada Imagen de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes de Manila high altar image with Saint Bernadette Soubirous
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References
1 2 3 4 5 "About Us". National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
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