The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. (Photo from Instagram)
SANTA MARIA, Ilocos Sur — The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, or Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur has been formally declared as a minor basilica on Friday, August 15.
A minor basilica is a church of historical and architectural value which has “particular importance for the liturgical and pastoral life” and in essence, it is considered the Pope’s Church in some place around the world.
In support of the celebration, Ilocos Sur governor Jeremias Singson suspended classes in all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in public offices, across the province.
“The participation of local residents and the facilitation of peace, order and logistical support are vital for the smooth and meaningful observance of this celebration, in light of the expected influx of religious pilgrims and guests,” Singson announced in his two-page Executive Order No. 18, series of 2025.
The event was presided over by the Most Revrrend Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, with hundreds of church leaders, government officials and the faithful from across the country gathering to witness the historic transition.
It was on November 18, 2024 that then-Pope Francis granted the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption the title of minor basilica in recognition of its historical and cultural significance to the Catholic Church.
The Assumption Shrine is the second in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia to receive such designation, the other being the Minor Basilica of St. Nicholas de Tolentino in the municipality of Sinait.
The church was built by the Augustinians in 1765 and designated as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993 as part of the Baroque churches in the Philippines.
According to Governor Singson, the new minor basilica stands as a symbol of enduring faith, architectural heritage and spiritual leadership in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. (Photo from Instagram)
SANTA MARIA, Ilocos Sur — The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, or Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur has been formally declared as a minor basilica on Friday, August 15.
A minor basilica is a church of historical and architectural value which has “particular importance for the liturgical and pastoral life” and in essence, it is considered the Pope’s Church in some place around the world.
In support of the celebration, Ilocos Sur governor Jeremias Singson suspended classes in all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in public offices, across the province.
“The participation of local residents and the facilitation of peace, order and logistical support are vital for the smooth and meaningful observance of this celebration, in light of the expected influx of religious pilgrims and guests,” Singson announced in his two-page Executive Order No. 18, series of 2025.
The event was presided over by the Most Revrrend Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, with hundreds of church leaders, government officials and the faithful from across the country gathering to witness the historic transition.
It was on November 18, 2024 that then-Pope Francis granted the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption the title of minor basilica in recognition of its historical and cultural significance to the Catholic Church.
The Assumption Shrine is the second in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia to receive such designation, the other being the Minor Basilica of St. Nicholas de Tolentino in the municipality of Sinait.
The church was built by the Augustinians in 1765 and designated as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993 as part of the Baroque churches in the Philippines.
According to Governor Singson, the new minor basilica stands as a symbol of enduring faith, architectural heritage and spiritual leadership in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.