Blessings of the NSDA replicas/images right after the Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass. Photo: Atom Yango
SAN MATEO, Rizal – Amidst the heavy rain, parishioners and devotees flock to commemorate the 14th year of elevation as Diocesan Shrine of the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parish Church last July 17, Tuesday. The Eucharistic mass was led by the Parish Priest and Shrine Rector Fr. Bembol Hiteroza. In his homily, he emphasized the meaning of a Shrine and how fortunate the people of San Mateo are to be the home of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
“..this town is very fortunate to be the Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu. The Lord’s message for us is not to waste this finest opportunity. We must express our gratitude to the Lord for making this possible.” Fr. Bembol said.
Before the concluding rites, the students from the different schools in San Mateo, led by the San Mateo Municipal College (SMMC) offered the “Prayer for Students to the Virgin of Aranzazu“. Fr. Bembol also blessed various replicas of Aranzazu, brought by the devotees during the singing of Salve Regina.
Canonical Creation of Diocesan Shrine Event in 2004
Symbolical crowning by Bishop Protacio Gungon, assisted by Fr. Mike Pacag in the presence of Bishops Gabby Reyes and Manuel Sobrevinas. Photo: Jesnar Fernando
On 17th of July 2004, thousands of parishioners and devotees attended the consecration of the church as Diocesan Shrine. This is to testify the unwavering faith and devotion of the people of San Mateo and being the only church of Our Lady of Aranzazu in the entire country and Asia.
It was during the time of Msgr. Mariano T. Balbago Jr. as parish priest when the seated image of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu also received a Symbolical Coronation. Until the present, thousands of pilgrims visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu to plead for prayers and intercession of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Christian Jasper Robles
Senior Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
Christian is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He is a member of the writer’s team of Aranzazu Media and Public Information Ministry. A singer, performer, writer, church servant, and a Marian devotee. Currently, he is the secretary of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu- Cofradia and member of Avant-Garde Singers. Passionate about writing different local religious traditions and Mariology matters; Christian is strongly dedicated in promoting and propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu.
