Pope Francis elevates Majayjay, Laguna church to minor basilica status

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, through CBCP News, made the announcement on Friday, January 31. The San Gregorio Magno Parish, including the Diocese of San Pablo which has jurisdiction over it, also confirmed the Vatican’s designation.

According to the CBCP, the Vatican granted the designation on January 25, following a petition from the San Pablo diocese in December 2024.

“Our parish is the largest Church in Diocese of San Pablo and recognized as a National Historical Treasure by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines,” the San Gregorio Magno Parish said.

The Diocese of San Pablo said the Majayjay church is the first minor basilica under its jurisdiction, and Laguna’s first minor basilica, according to the CBCP.

Minor basilicas have privileges because of their “special bond of communion with the Pope.” A church is elevated to minor basilica status if it meets certain criteria, like “antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and significance as centers of worship.”

Among the known minor basilicas in the country are the Quiapo Church in Manila, the Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño de Cebu, and the Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan.

Citing the coffee table book Gifted to Give: The Faith-Journey of the Church in Laguna [1521-2021], the Diocese of San Pablo said the Majayjay church was first established by Augustinian missionaries in 1571 using bamboo and metal strings. The church was built after a dialogue between conquistador Juan de Salcedo with the town’s local tribes.

“Its large church and old parish kumbento, now housing a Catholic School, are reminders that caravans from the ports of the Bicol region, passing the towns of Tayabas and Lucban, would seek overnight rest in these large church facilities before descending to the towns along the shores of the Laguna de Bae and then to ride the cascos sailing to Manila via the lake and the connecting Pasig River,” the book read.

According to the diocese, the church also served as quarters for invading American troops during the Filipino-American war.

“Today, the parish is a valuable historic icon of Laguna, being the largest parish church in the province; preserving the lasting marks of the Hispanic colonial era evident in its architecture and value,” the diocese added. – Rappler.com