ON THIS DAY:
ANG BANAL NA PAGTATALAGA NG PAROKYA NG INMACULADA CONCEPCIÓN SA MALOLOS BILANG KATEDRAL (1976) AT BILANG ISANG BASILICA MENOR (1999)
Two important events are being remembered today at Immaculate Conception Parish of Malolos as the mother church of the Diocese.
First, there were major renovations in the church of Malolos that was elevated as a Cathedral during the installation of the first Bishop of Malolos, Manuel P. Del Rosario on March 11, 1962. During this time, Msgr. Virgilio Soriano commissioned for a new altar, the communion rail was removed, and the triangular cone roof of the Cathedral belfry was replaced by a tall statue of the Immaculate Conception that was donated by Mr. Amparo Bautista-Julian. On December 4, 1976, the Cathedral was solemnly dedicated to God in rites led by then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani.
Second, another grace for the Cathedral of Malolos celebrated is its elevation as a Minor Basilica. The church of Malolos is one of only two cathedrals that have been granted the additional title of basilica in the Philippines, a privilege that since then has not been granted to any Cathedral. The petition was submitted by the second Bishop of Malolos, Cirilo R. Almario, Jr. on July 19, 1993. The decree granting the title Minor Basilica to the Malolos Cathedral was issued on April 9, 1999 at the same time as the centennial of the independence of the Philippine Republic. The recognition of the Cathedral as a Minor Basilica was held on December 4, 1999 led by Manila Archbishop, Jaime Cardinal Sin; the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Antonio Franco; and the third Bishop of Malolos, Rolando J. Tria Tirona, O.C.D.
Because today is the Second Sunday of the Advent season, the Diocese shall commemorate these two solemn celebrations on December 5, Monday. According to the Table of Liturgical Days, the Dedication of a Cathedral Church is inscribed as a Solemnity.
- Br. Kendrick Ivan B. Panganiban, S.Th.L.-M.A., DCSC Research Team
