The canonical coronation of the more than a century-old image of Our Lady of Lourdes in her shrine in Quezon City will be held next month, the Diocese of Cubao announced Tuesday.
The diocese said the ceremony at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Quezon City is set on August 22.
The crowning of the 126-year old image was originally scheduled last May 2, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fr. Eugenio Juanilo Lopez, Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Friars Minor in the Philippines, said the move was necessary to protect the welfare and health of the public.
“Don’t think that this virus has thwarted Our Lady! Our celebration may have been postponed, but it is sure we will soon honor her,” Fr. Lopez said.
“And while we look forward to that day, let us crown her in our hearts, by our fervent prayers, penance, conversion, sacrifice and acts of charity for the poor,” he said.
The venerated image was also returned to the grotto above the altar of the shrine on July 11, following the “encarta” that lasted for 142 days.
Pope Francis granted the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Lourdes image in September 2019.
A pontifical coronation is a pious institutional act, wherein the pope designates a crown or stellar halo to be added to a Marian image under a specific devotional title in a particular diocese.
It is also the highest distinction the Church grants to a religious image.