Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag now Basilica

MANAOAG, Pangasinan — It was a busy day here Friday when around 100 archbishops and bishops flocked here with the elevation into a Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag.

The ceremony started at 10 a.m. 22 when the shrine was officially called Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

Headed by a rector, the shrine was recommended by the Dominican priests for elevation by Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, Socrates Villegas.

A Eucharistic celebration was held simultaneously with the launching of Special Bond of Spiritual Affinity of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Former Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, was among archbishops who attended the event. -- Leizle Basa Inigo