Vatican grants special privilege to Taal Shrine

Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay

Devotees making pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay in the historic town of Taal in Batangas will now be able to receive the same plenary indulgence granted to pilgrims who visit the ancient church of St. Mary Major in Rome.

The Vatican has issued a decree signed by Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, archpriest-emeritus of St. Mary Major, granting the Caysasay Shrine the same special privilege attached to the Roman Basilica.

Pilgrims who visit and pray at the Shrine will receive plenary indulgence provided they fulfill the prescribed conditions of going to confession, participating in a Mass and praying for the intention of the Holy Father.

Fr. Nonie Dolor, the archdiocesan media director, said the Vatican's pronouncement came very timely as the archdiocese is preparing for the grand celebration of its 40th anniversary.

He said a Mass of Declaration to be presided by Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles will be celebrated at the Shrine on June 3 to formally announce to the public the special privilege granted by the Vatican.

The ceremonies will include the reading of the decree and placing the original Latin text and its translation as a marker at the Shrine's entrance, according to Shrine rector Fr. Jose Maria Loyola Cumagun.

On Saturdays, the day set for devotion to Our Lady, the otherwise sleepy shrine becomes vibrant when pilgrims flock to the place to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin.

The Marian icon which is now known as our Lady of Caysasay was said to have been found by a local fisherman at the Pansipit River, according to a local legend.

The people had the Marian image enshrined at Labac where devotees flock every Saturday to pay homage.

Miracles attributed to the image attracted many devotees to make annual pilgrimages to the Shrine, especially Chinese Catholics who regard the image of Our Lady of Caysasay as their own. (CBCPNews)