MANAOAG, Pangasinan, Feb. 14 (PNA)–Thousands of people have now started to arrive in this town, best known as a pilgrimage center of the north, to witness the unfolding of two major events of regional and worldwide significance.
Chief Inspector Edison Revita, chief of police of Manaoag, said the two events are the Region 1 Athletic Association ( IRAA) meet from Feb. 15 to 21 and the solemn proclamation of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag Church into a minor basilica from Feb. 14 to 17,
Anticipating thousands of people to flock to Manaoag for the twin events, the municipal government, headed by Mayor Kim Amador, has set up a traffic re-routing scheme before, during and even after the two activities.
Some 65 bishops and 1,000 priests locally and abroad are expected to come for the church event.
Revita has sought an augmentation force to beef up the more than 40-police force from the Pangasinan Police Office, Police Regional Office and even from the Philippine Army ( PA).
In the afternoon of Feb. 17, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag will be formally proclaimed as a “Minor Basilica.”
A long-awaited event, which is expected to be attended by the Catholic community, is the solemn proclamation of the Manaoag into a basilica minor . The church has been proclaimed by Pope Francis in Rome on Oct. 11, 2014.
The 1989 Vatican document Domus Ecclesiae declares, “Minor, or lesser, basilicas are significant churches in Rome and elsewhere in the world that meet certain criteria and are given special ecclesiastical privileges.”
Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship. At the same time a basilica must stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy.
Meanwhile, R1AA will draw some 17,000 athletes from Pangasinan 1, pangasinan 2, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and the cities of Dagupan Urdaneta, San Carlos, San Fernando, Canson, Vigan, Batac and Laoag. (PNA)