The Sacred Sanctuary: Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

File:Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.jpg

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Article by Isaac

The Parish, 1591

Malolos Cathedral, formally known as the Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is the ecclesiastical seat of the Diocese of Malolos. It is located in the city of Malolos, the capital of the province of Bulacan, in the Philippines. With its primary structure built in 1591, It continues to be one of the country's oldest churches. The cathedral also holds great religious, cultural, and historical significance.

The First Philippine Republic was established in 1898 as an outcome of the Malolos Constitutional Convention. As a result, Emilio Aguinaldo used the church's convent as his presidential residence, and the town served as the capital of this temporary administration. Aguinaldo imparted the order to burn the cathedral down in order to keep it out of the hands of the enemy after making an escape from the invading US army.

The church had to be rebuilt after being destroyed several times. The structure required continuous expansion and reinforcement because of the growing number of parishioners. Hewn stone replaced lighter materials such as cogon and bamboo. After being completed in 1673, the first stone church was destroyed by fire in 1812.

The current church building was started in 1814, finished in 1817, and officially opened in 1826. Nevertheless, it was severely damaged once more in the span of the 1863 and 1880 earthquakes. The church was rebuilt once again after the war. In 1962, the church was designated as a cathedral. It was then promoted to a minor basilica in 1999.

This neoclassical church has gone through numerous renovations and additions throughout the years, including doors, stained glass windows, a new altar, a mortuary chapel, a crypt, and a patio, among other things. In 1970, a massive statue of the Immaculate Conception made of concrete was added.

However, perhaps the most significant feature of the church is the carved statue of the Immaculate Concepcion, which draws many devotees. Unfortunately, this image is merely a replica. The miraculous original statue, reportedly carved during the 1950s and tied to several miracles experienced by devotees, has been secreted away in a secure location for safekeeping.

Nevertheless, the carved statue of the Immaculate Concepcion, which draws an enormous number of devotees, is undoubtedly the church's most notable feature.

Team Ministry

Most Rev. Jose Francisco Oliveros, DD The current bishop is a priest from the Diocese of Boac in Marinduque, Most Rev. Jose Francisco Oliveros, DD. He took office on May 14, 2004. He is the current Moderator of the Parish's Team Ministry.

Rev. Msgr. Jaime S. Garcia - Rector of the Parish Msgr. Garcia previously served as parish priest in the Immaculate Conception Parish in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. He is an appointed member of the Diocesan Advisory Board and is the current Director of the Apostolado ng Panalangin in the Diocese of Malolos.

Members of the Team Ministry:

Rev. Fr. Renato Brion Jr.

Rev. Fr. Conrado Santos

Parish Priest: Fr. Alberto DJ. Santiago (Rector and Moderator)

Parochial Vicars:

Fr. Fernando B. Cenon (Co-Pastor)

Fr. Arvin Ray C. Jimenez

Former Priests:

Fr. Domingo Salonga

Fr. Joseph Fidel Roura

Fr. Howard John Tarrayo

Baranggays under the Parish of the Immaculate Conception