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BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — The historic St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Bayambang was officially proclaimed an archdiocesan shrine on Saturday.
CENTER OF DEVOTION In a ceremony led by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Bayambang, Pangasinan, was proclaimed as an archdiocesan shrine on April 5, 2025. PNA PHOTO
The elevation of the church to shrine status recognizes not only its spiritual significance but also its enduring legacy as a center of faith and devotion.
"We are pleased to note that the Gozos, a hymn for St. Vincent Ferrer, composed many years ago, is a testament of the census feeding and proof of the numerous favors received through his intercession," read the decree signed by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
"The growth of faith is reflected in the three offspring parishes that branched out, the parish of Santo Domingo Ybañez de Erquicia in Barangay Sapang, the parish of San Isidro Labrador in Barangay Karungay, and the parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Barangay Wawa," it added.
With its new status, the shrine will now hold monthly visits and blessings for the sick through the intercession of St. Vincent Ferrer, the patron saint of builders and reconciliation.
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It will also be required to conduct regular charity programs for the poor.
"I invoke my pastoral blessings upon all who visit the Sanctuary. Pray for the intentions of the Pope and sanctification of priests, and receive Holy Communion in the State of Grace," Villegas stated.
In his homily, Villegas emphasized the three key reasons for the proclamation: antiquity, beauty, and most importantly, its people.
"So after being proven to be a church of antiquity, and after seeing with our eyes that this church is a church of beauty, what is the third criterion, and actually the most important? It is the people. And not only ordinary people. People who come here knowing that they want to express their love for God also," he said.
He urged the faithful to mirror the physical beauty of the church in their spiritual lives.
The local government of Bayambang invites devotees to the church and the statue of St. Vincent Ferrer in time for the Lenten season.
