Quezon's St. Francis church elevated into diocesan shrine

One of the religious and historical landmarks of Sariaya town in Quezon province has been elevated to the rank of diocesan shrine. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Tuesday night that the St. Francis of the Assisi church, which was built in 1748, was formally declared as Diocesan Shrine of the Mahal na Señor, Santo Cristo de Burgos by Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez during the town’s fiesta last Sept. 14. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, CBCP president Angel Lagdameo, Boac bishop Reynaldo Evangelista and some local public officials witnessed the inauguration. The CBCP said the shrine will be under the care of Msgr. Melecio Verastigue as parish priest and Fr. Franz Clarence Joseph Ilagan as parochial vicar. The church houses the Sto. Cristo de Burgos image which is more popular than the acknowledged patron saint. It is believed to be miraculous and visited by pilgrims from far away places. Its historical marker states that the earthquakes and floods of 1743 destroyed the church and caused the transfer to the present site. It likewise mentions about the lake in Mt. Banahaw that collapsed due to earthquake, causing the flood and the destruction of the church and the town. This prompted the townsfolk to build a new church at the present site, in effect transferring the town. As a result, the former location is now called Lumangbayan (Old Town). - GMANews.TV