Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, will lead the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the pontifical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
The celebration at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal, on May 31 will be marked with a reenactment of the historic event.
Bishop Franciso de Leon of Antipolo and his auxiliary, Bishop Nolly Buco, are also expected to grace the activity.
The devotion to the Virgin of Aranzazu dates back to as early as 1469 in Spain, and was introduced to the Philippines through the town of San Mateo in 1705.
The spread of the devotion led to the construction of the church in honor of Our Lady in 1716.
“Aside from honoring the Blessed Mother, the celebration also recognizes the deeply rooted and fervent devotion of the people of San Mateo to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu,” read an announcement from the shrine.
Pope Francis approved the petition for the canonical coronation of the Marian image in July 2016.
The actual crowning took place almost a year later, on May 31, 2017, led by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, who was then archbishop of Cotabato.
