Philippines celebrates two new minor basilicas

Two beloved churches in the Philippines have received a rare and prestigious honor: elevation to the rank of minor basilica, marking a spiritual milestone for both the faithful and the nation’s rich Catholic heritage.

On March 25, Pope Francis officially approved the designation of Sta. Cruz Parish Church in Manila as the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, while just two days later, on March 27, the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Parañaque City was likewise granted basilica status — the first ever for the Diocese of Parañaque.

The recognition of minor basilica is more than symbolic. It signifies a church’s close connection to the pope and the universal Church. Indeed, these churches serve as visible signs of unity with Rome and are granted the right to use papal insignia like the crossed keys, the ombrellino (a red-and-yellow canopy), and the tintinnabulum (a processional bell) — elements rich in tradition and meaning.

Founded in 1619 by Jesuit missionaries, Sta. Cruz Church was built to serve the Chinese-Filipino community in the capital. A replica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza — a devotion originating in Spain — has been enshrined there since 1643, shaping the church’s enduring Marian identity.

After being devastated in the Battle of Manila in 1945, the church was rebuilt in 1957 in a style echoing Baroque influences. Entrusted to the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in the mid-20th century, Sta. Cruz deepened its focus on Eucharistic worship, eventually being named the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in 2018. Now, its elevation to basilica status affirms generations of devotion and resilience.

In the southern part of Metro Manila, the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians also celebrates a historic elevation. Home to a century-old image of Mary that was canonically crowned in 2022, the shrine has long been a center of Marian devotion.

“This honor is truly a grace from God and a profound blessing,” a parish statement said. With its new designation, the shrine becomes the first minor basilica in the Diocese of Parañaque, which was established only in 2003. The move highlights its emerging role as a center for liturgical and pastoral formation.

These two new basilicas join a select group — only about 25 across the country — that hold this rare title. Others include the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas.

In a nation where over 86,000 chapels and churches dot the archipelago, the Philippines stands as the largest Catholic country in Asia. Spanish missionaries laid the foundation centuries ago, and churches have remained not just religious centers but cultural landmarks — spaces where history, faith, and community converge.

As the Church journeys through a Jubilee Year themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” these designations are a reminder: faith in the Philippines is not only alive—it continues to flourish.