EXPLAINER: Why is the dedication of the church and the altar important?

The parishioners and officials of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday marked the dedication of the church and altar, an occasion that coincides with the 69th anniversary of the church's canonical establishment.

WATCH: Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula leads the dedication of church and altar of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mandaluyong City.| via Mariel Celine Serquiña, @gmanews pic.twitter.com/YWGiJ4AoWs

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The dedication of a church and altar is a solemn rite in the Catholic Church in which the building and its altar are formally consecrated as a sacred place of worship.

Speaking to GMA News Online, Parish priest Fr. Jefferson Agustin said the dedication is a sign that the parish continues its mission and existence.

It is usually done when a church is newly built, but upon checking, there was no record in the Archdiocese of Manila, Agustin said.

“Marahil hindi masyadong napansin o hindi kaagad nakita ng parish priest noong una na dapat may dedication ng parokya bago magsimula,” Agustin said. “Ngayon ang anniversary ng parokya. Kaya naisip namin bakit hindi natin gawin ngayon yung dedication,” he added.

(Perhaps the parish did not notice that a parish must be dedicated on its establishment. We thought of doing it now since we’re celebrating its 69th anniversary.)

Situated in the middle of commercial hubs, St. Francis of Assisi Parish was built in 1957 under the pastoral care of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

A 'baptism' of the church

Agustin said the dedication of the church and altar can be compared to baptism, as it serves as a reminder to Catholics of their mission to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“Yung dedication ay pagpapaalala ng binyag ng mga Kristiyanong Katoliko na napakahalaga na ang simbahan ay maging tanda ng pagmimisyon ng bawat Kristiyanong Katoliko dahil tayo naman bilang mga Kristiyanong Katoliko ay sumusunod kay Kristo,” the priest said.

(The dedication serves as a reminder of the baptism of Catholic Christians, emphasizing the importance of the church as a sign of the mission of every Catholic Christian, which is to follow Jesus Christ.)

During the Rite of the Dedication of the Church and Altar, the bishop sprinkles holy water on the people and the building as a sign of purification and anoints the altar and walls with chrism oil for consecration.

The bishop will also recite a prayer of dedication, then incense will be burned on the altar. Candles will then be lit to represent Jesus Christ as the light of the world.

According to Agustin, about a year of preparation was needed since they had to prepare their parishioners through recollections.

Reminder of the mission

Agustin said the dedication of the parish is a reminder that Catholics have a mission to fulfill in accordance with Jesus’ teachings.

“Itong simbahan na ito ay itinatalaga para sa Panginoong Diyos at ito ay magpapaalala sa atin na ang pagtanggap ay merong kang gagawin,” the priest said.

(This church is dedicated to God, and it reminds us that acceptance comes with a responsibility that we must fulfill.)

“Sa gitna ng komersyalismo rito, sa ingay ng ating siyudad, ay dito ay makikita natin na merong lugar na kung saan ang bawat Kristiyano ay merong tagpuan ang Diyos at ang tao. Eh dito magkakaroon ng encounter ang Diyos at ang tao,” he added.

(In the midst of commercialization and the noise of our city, we can see that there is a place where every Catholic Christians can encounter God. Here, there is a meeting between God and man, where they come into encounter with each other.)

This year also marks the 800th death of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals and ecology.

He also founded the Order of Friars Minor, or the Franciscan orders, in the 13th century.

Preparation and celebration

For Leli Roque, Pastoral Parish Council head, the three coinciding events are a joyous event to celebrate.

“We are very, very happy kasi talagang napaka-importante pala itong araw na ito sa amin. Lahat ng preparations nagawa namin,” Roque said, recalling the months-long preparations.

(We are very, very happy because this day is truly very important to us. We made all the necessary preparations.)

“May this be a place for us where we find peace, where we find the grace and the love and the consolation and the mercy of God,” she added.

Dean Estudillo, vice coordinator of the parish pastoral council and formation ministry coordinator, said that St. Francis of Assisi Parish is also a pilgrimage site where a plenary indulgence is granted, following Pope Leo XIV’s proclamation of the Franciscan Jubilee Year.

“Nawa ang ating kapwa mapanampalataya tayo ay magpasalamat, magdiwang, at makita natin ang presensya ng Diyos sa araw na ito,” Estudillo said.

(May we the faithful give thanks, celebrate, and recognize the presence of God on this day.)

The announcement of the Franciscan Jubilee was formally made on October 3, 2025, at the Papal Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi during the celebration of the First Vespers of the Transitus of St. Francis, according to the Franciscan Communications Office. — BAP, GMA News