The St. Paul of the Cross Parish church in Marikina City has been elevated to a Diocesan Shrine.
“With joy and thanksgiving, we share to you our dear parishioners this good news,” read an announcement from the parish.
“Truly, God continues to bless and affirm every genuine acts of love and service you, our parishioners, have continuously shared to our parish,” it added.
Bishop Francisco de Leon of Antipolo declared the Saint Paul of the Cross Parish in SSS Village, Marikina, as the Diocesan Shrine of St. Paul of the Cross following a petition from parish priest Vicentico C. Flores Jr.
To be a diocesan shrine, a church must be a place of historical significance, prayer, and pilgrimage for a special reason of piety.
It must also exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services.
When these requirements are met, the parish petitions the bishop to canonically elevate the church.
