13 years as a Shrine: An Extraordinary Honor to Our Lady of Aranzazu

During the Blessing of the Shrine’s Retablo Mayor. (AranzazuShrine FB Page)

Today, July 17, 2017, the whole community of San Mateo, Rizal celebrates is the 13th anniversary of the Canonical Creation of the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu as a Diocesan Shrine. Also another milestone was celebrated last July 16; the 6th Anniversary of the renovated NSDA Sanctuary or its “Retablo Mayor.”

+ Bro. Reynaldo Ramos, NSDA Parish Former PPC President (Photo: Fina Ramos FB Account)

The petition for the blessing and consecration of this Church as a Diocesan Shrine to honor our Lady of Aranzazu, submitted by the Parish Pastoral Council and Basic Ecclesiastical Communities spearheaded by Bro. Reynaldo Ramos (PPC President) to the Bishop of Antipolo then, HE Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes D.D. was granted last July 17, 2004; coincided the 21st year of the Diocese of Antipolo.

The presentation of the bull attested to be an important milestone in the history of the Parish. Prior to the declaration justified the continuous increase the number of parishioners and devotees of NSDA; the only Shrine on her title that the widespread of its devotion to and message of NSDA not only to the whole town of San Mateo but throughout the adjacent towns of the Rizal Province and to some parts of the country. The great honor also imposed a greater responsibility because the Parish had to spearhead the promotion of more than 300 years of perpetual devotion to Our Lady. (Bro. Henry Manahan)