Twenty-one churches in the Cordillera, under the dioceses of Baguio, Bangued, Bontoc-Lagawe, and Tabuk City were chosen as part of the 500 “Jubilee Churches” where pilgrims who visit these churches can receive plenary indulgence.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said an indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sins, which have already been forgiven.
The faithful can receive plenary indulgence when they make a devotional pilgrimage to one of the designated “Jubilee Churches” until April 22, 2022.
In the list released by the CBCP, the churches in the Cordillera are the Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish (Quirino Highway), San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish (Loakan), all in Baguio; San Isidro Labrador Parish (Abatan, Buguias, Benguet), San Jose the Husband of Mary Parish (Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet), Immaculate Conception Parish (Acop, Caponga, Tublay, Benguet), and Our Lady of Fatima Parish (Tuding, Itogon, Benguet) under the Diocese of Baguio.
Churches under the Diocese of Bangued are St. James the Elder Cathedral, San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine both in Bangued, Our Lady of the Pillar Parish (San Isidro), San Narciso Parish (Bucay), St Catherine of Alexandria Parish (Tayum), and Holy Cross Parish (Lagangilang).
Churches under the Diocese of Bontoc-Lagawe are Sta Rita de Cascia Cathedral (Bontoc, Mountain Province), Holy Family Mission Parish (Sadsadan, Bauko), St. Mary Magdalene Mission Parish (Lagawe, Ifugao), and Holy Family Mission Parish, Hapao (Hungduan, Ifugao).
Churches under the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk are St William’s Cathedral and St. Joseph’s Church, both in Tabuk City, St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Conner, Apayao), and Santo Rosario Church (Pudtol, Apayao).
These jubilee churches will be formally opened to the faithful seeking plenary indulgence this Easter Sunday, April 4.
At the Our of Lady Atonement Cathedral, the front canopy has been removed, the tiles at the Cathedral square will be replaced, and the main door will be enhanced to symbolize the opening of the “holy door” or when the first recorded Eucharist on March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, was celebrated.
Aside from personal intentions, pilgrims who visit jubilee churches are also asked to pray for the fidelity of the Filipino people to their Christian calling, for the increase of priestly and religious vocations and for the defense of the family, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer, the profession of faith, and an invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Plenary indulgence is also extended to the sick, the elderly, and all those who for legitimate reasons are unable to leave their homes, the CBCP said.
The gift of plenary indulgence has been issued through a decree signed on Feb. 25 by Pope Francis. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 24, 2024
