The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Cardona, Rizal, announces the Pontifical Coronation of the revered image of their Patroness, Nuestra Señora del Santo Rosario de Cardona, historically known as “La Virgen de Sapao” which will be held on October 7, 2922, during the 9:00 A.M. Holy Mass to be presided by no other than His Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila. This day is considered especially significant with a triple celebration: the feast day of the Patroness, the 150th year anniversary of the parish, and the eagerly awaited Pontifical Coronation.
Photo credits: Pintakasi
The whole Parish council and ministries together with the supervision of their beloved Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bienvenido Guevara, is inviting everyone, especially the local devotees and those from neighboring towns to take part in the joyful celebration highlighted by the Pontifical crowning of their Patroness.
Below is a brief history of the Parish:
From the simple chapel, Visita de San Francisco originally made of bamboo and nipa, the church gradually developed into a larger and more complex structure through the efforts of subsequent Parish Priests. As a way of thanking the parishioners and showing their devotion to the Virgin, they made every effort to give her a proper home. The arrangements were made with the cooperation of generous and well-wishers and patrons living locally and abroad.
Over the years, the church became a Sanctuary of Mary for parishioners and out-of-town devotees who regularly visit not only on the day of the feast, and has also become a place of pilgrimage especially during Lenten season and the Month of the Rosary.
It was granted the status of a Diocesan Shrine on August 17, 2017, followed by the blessing and consecration of the church led by the Parish Priest and his Eminence, Bishop Francisco M. De Leon, DD, Bishop of Antipolo on October 1, 2017. This recognition as a Shrine gives the parish the opportunity to deepen devotion to the Blessed Virgin of Sto. Rosario and to give it the degree worthy of such honor and blessing.
Under the supervision of its Parish Priest the seed of a special devotion was planted. It was called Siete-dia Devotion where the Spanish word Siete-dia means seventh day.
Why seventh? The seventh day takes it significance from the feast day of the Blessed Virgin of Sto. Rosario which falls on the seventh of October. A higher meaning, according to the Bible, comes from the verse “on the seventh day after creation, the Lord rested.” (Genesis 2:2-3 2) On the seventh day God’s work was finished and He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had done. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on that day He rested from all His work in His creation.) So, the seventh day became the Lord’s Day. And with Mary, the Blessed Virgin of Sto. Rosario, we dedicate the seventh day in thanksgiving, prayer, and devotion for the greater glory of God.
Moreover, last September 27, 2018, Bishop Francisco M. De Leon, DD, Bishop of Antipolo, approved the Episcopal Coronation of the town’s patron saint, La Virgen de Sapao. The episcopal Coronation was presided over by his excellency, Bishop Nolly C. Buco, Auxilliary Bishop of Antipolo.
After several years, the petition for the coronation of Cardona’s patroness was sent to Rome last November 2021 and was accepted by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, the Vatican dicastery granting the pontifical title. The dicastery issued the decree on Jan. 12, 2022, and was sent to Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon.
It was assumed that the Marian image of the Holy Rosary in Cardona will be the fifth to be granted a pontifical coronation in the whole Diocese of Antipolo. The others include the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Antipolo City), Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Marikina (Marikina City), Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu (San Mateo, Rizal), and Nuestra Señora de la Luz (Cainta, Rizal).