"Come to Me, all of you who are tired and burdened with your burden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn from Me. I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls" – Matthew 11:28-29
The town of San Rafael became a visita of Quingua (now Plaridel) in 1668. Under the leadership of the Augustinian Priests, San Rafael formally became a Parish in 1750. Because the Church is located in the Hacienda de Buenavista, the main patron saint is San Juan de Dios, who is the patron saint of the Brother Hospitallers of St. John of God. The produce of the Hacienda was the main supplier of the Hospitals of San Juan De Dios and San Lazaro in Manila. With the passage of time, the number of believers in Cruz na Daan, which is covered by the Town of San Rafael, has also increased.
That is why before the outbreak of the Second World War, the representative of Archbishop Michael James O'Doherty of Manila deliberately went to Cruz na Daan to find out its ability to build a Parish. Due to the absence of the Prayer Center, the temporary Church was the Visitor of San Roque. The first mass for the Parish was offered by Fr. Marcelo Capitolo in 1939. Until 1946, parish activities were conducted at the Visitor of San Roque.
Under the leadership of P. Daniel Bunying, a simple Church made of bamboo and with a cogon roof was started to be built that was standing in the yard of Mr. Icasiano Pile. The Parish Office was sheltered in the barn owned by Mr. Jose Violago.
Not too long ago, the people built a small stone church on the land owned by Mr. Tiburcio Rivera. It was decided that the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be the patron saint of the Parish. Because there was no image to install, Mrs. went to the Parish of San Agustin in Baliuag. Josefa Serrano, Mr. Josefa Violago, and Mrs. Rufina Isidro to borrow and they happily returned with a beautiful bust of Jesus.
It was 1963 when a larger church was started to be built under the leadership of P. Melchor Barcelona so that more and more believers and church organizations could have their space for worship, meetings and participation in civic activities.
In 1987, devotion to the Sacred Heart gradually flourished not only in Cruz na Daan but also in neighboring towns. During the tenure of P. Walderedo Castillo, various commissions such as formation, worship and service were established.
During the tenure of P. Adalberto "Ady" Vergara, devotion to the Sacred Heart was further enriched by the extension of the community activities of the Parish Pastoral Council, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women's League and other church organizations. The active participation of lay Catholics in our Diocese in the Apostolate of Prayer also continues. There were also Enthronements of the image of the Sacred Heart in many homes.
The construction of the current Shrine was started in 1992 and was gloriously completed during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.
At the request of the People of God of the Cross Way led by Fr. Ady with full approval from the Presbyterial Council of the Diocese of Malolos, conferred by Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, D.D. the Parish of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus becoming a Diocesan Shrine on December 1, 2000.
To be closer to the believers of Devotion to the Sacred Heart. There were visits to various institutions such as the municipality, school and other Parishes in our Diocese.
Under the leadership of P. Mario L. Mendiola, the printing of the book entitled Bulong ng Puso, which is used in the Holy Hour, began.
He also started to introduce Sta. Maria Margarita Alacoque, formation of the first parochial hymn Bayan ng Diyos and the offering dance Balitaw ng Puso that is performed every June Festival.
P. Vicente B. Lina Jr. who finished the new convent in 2016, during his shepherding the ecclesiastical arts and traditions such as the formation of processional images every Holy Day came to life. Introduction to various images and titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and formation of Cofradia. In February 2021, Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo, D.D. appointed Rdo. P. Mauricio “Mar” A. Lucas as the 4th Rector and 12th Parish Priest of this Shrine where he immediately began the Renovation of the Shrine including the installation of images of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sta. Maria Margarita Alacoque. At the same time, the Formation of the Adoration Chapel - where those who feel the Sacred Heart of Jesus should feel and love the Eucharist. Some of the things organized during his tenure are the following with the aim of encouraging many believers and becoming a pilgrimage center in the country:
*Diocesan Shrine office – used by our shrine promoters and Diocesan Officers; *Three new electronic bells from Revine, Traviso, Italy – which play a major role in calling worship services; *Religious store containing sacramental and devotional items for pilgrims; *Candelarium and the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes – where prayers and intentions are offered through candles; *Cor Mariae Function Hall – which serves as a meeting place for church organizations; *Having a special prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and wearing the Scapular of the Sacred Heart; and * Having a climb to the miraculous Poon behind the shrine so that all devotees can touch and approach Him.
There were also prayers for the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Prayer of a Believer), the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sta. Maria Margarita Alacoque. It's the same with his hymns in Rdo's music. P. Daniel P. Sevilla the Heartbeat, Busilak and Pledge of Love based on the prayers mentioned above.
This year on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the vicaria image of the Sacred Heart will be launched. The Vicario Image of the miraculous Bust of the Sacred Corazon de Jesus that will serve as the Pilgrim Image that will tour the churches and shrines missioned by His Mercy and Love.
This image was sculpted by Mr. Ian Vicente of Bataan and a special gift from Mr. Wilson + and PPC Vice Chairwoman Salome Yu. This was carried out as a sign of the 85th Year of Establishment of our church as a Parish and Heart Festival under the leadership of our entire Parish Pastoral Council - as Hermandad 2024 under the guidance of the Rector and Parish Priest, P. Mar Lucas.
Love! That is the content of the heart of Jesus. The Heart of Jesus is Love, so Jesus is Love. Jesus is the Sign of the Father's love for us.
- Bro. Mark James S. Evangelista, M.A., DCSC Research Team
Sanggunian: Pacis, Flomelito, Panayam ng May-akda, Pandiyosesis na Dambana at Parokya ng Sagrado Corazon, Mayo 25, 2024. Venturina, Dominga et.al., Kasayasayan ng Kristianismo, Ang Kasaysayan ng Kamahal-mahalang Puso ni Jesus, Souvenir Program of Fiesta ’90, 1990. Kasaysayan ng Parokya ng Kamahal-mahalang Puso ni Hesus, Diocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred heart of Jesus, 2001.
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The Sandigan - Diocese of Malolos is the official platform of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos under the Malolos Diocesan Commission on Social Communications launched as a website on February 23, 2019.
