Final lent, my associates and I have been capable of go to 13 lovely church buildings in Manila as a part of our Visita Iglesia. I’m comfortable that I used to be capable of revisit among the church buildings that I used to frequent to. After revisiting the Bamboo Organ Church and the Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno in Las Piñas of Las Pinas, the subsequent church on our checklist is the Cathedral Parish of Saint Andrew in Parañaque. The final time I went right here was in 2016. Whereas there haven’t been any adjustments within the church’s exterior, the church’s foremost altar appeared to have undergone main renovation.
The historical past of the church will be traced again 4 hundred years in the past when the Augustinian missionaries set foot on Southern Manila. They went on a fishing village close to the ocean which they later named “Palanyag”, the contraction for the phrase “Paglalayag” which implies crusing. Palanyag grew to become an unbiased city in 1580 and in addition marked as the inspiration day of the parish which was aptly positioned beneath the patronage of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the patron saint of fishermen. The picture of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Palanyag (the city’s patroness), however, was dropped at Saint Andrew’s Parish in La Huerta on August 10, 1625. Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Palanyag is the third oldest Marian Picture within the Philippines.
Apart from being one of many oldest church buildings within the nation, the city and the church itself have large historic significance. The city’s strategic location has grow to be an awesome benefit to Parañaque. For example, they’ve prevented Chinese language pirates from coming into and invading Manila in numerous events. These embrace the tried assaults of Limahong in 1574 and Koxinga in 1662. The city additionally performed an enormous function throughout the British Invasion in Manila in 1762. Throughout the Philippine Revolution, however, outstanding Paraqueños like Manuel Quiogue and secular priest Father Pedro Dandan y Masangkay grew to become main revolutionary figures.
Throughout the American Occupation, Parañaque grew to become a part of Rizal province. It was later merged with Manila and Quezon to type the Metropolis of Higher Manila throughout the Japanese Occupation period. On November 7, 1975, Parañaque was separated from Rizal and have become a part of Metropolitan Manila or the Nationwide Capital Area.
After the Augustinians, the Parish was administered by the Congregation of the Immaculate Coronary heart of Mary from 1915 to 1993. Throughout this time, the Saint Andrew College was constructed together with the creation of Parañaque Improvement Basis, Inc (PDFI), the church’s social arm. In 1994, administration of St. Andrew’s Parish was handed over to the Secular Clergy.
In 2003, after the creation of recent Diocese of Parañaque , Saint Andrew Parish standing was elevated to a Cathedral.
Structure-wise, the Cathedral includes a basic Baroque fashion. It comes with a easy but distinctive façade. As a substitute of the normal cross, the pediment of the church includes a triangle form.
The higher area of interest enshrines a statue of Saint Andrew the Apostle, town’s patron saint.
The center layer of the facade options stained-glass home windows showcasing numerous coat of arms. The rose-window on the middle highlights the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Parañaque whereas the 2 niches on either side function the Coat of Arms of Congregation of the Immaculate Coronary heart of Mary and the Order of Saint Augustine.
Statue of Saint Paul.
Statue of Saint Peter.
There’s additionally a few niches beside the primary door that options statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
The bell tower of Paranaque Cathedral
On the precise facet of the church is the four-story bell tower supported by a thick buttress.
Historic Marker of Pedro Dandan Y Masangkay
Positioned together with the church is a statue and a historic marker devoted to Padre Pedro Dandan Y Masangkay.
This new altar of Paranaque Cathedral
The inside of the church is equally gorgeous. It’s fascinating to notice that the most important retablo of the parish underwent a number of renovation through the years.
The outdated altar (2016)
After I went there final 2016, the altar highlights a big tabernacle within the heart with the Crucifix above it. The 2 niches beside the tabernacle enshrines the pictures of Saint Andrew and Saint Joseph. The Picture of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso, however, will be discovered on one of many facet altars.
Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso
The sanctuary was modified final 2021 with the brand new templette for Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso and modified ambo.
Altar within the Adoration chapel
Santo Cristo
Saint Joseph
This put up is a part of my Southern Manila Pilgrimage Sequence. Be happy to revisit my earlier articles
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References:Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Flickr / RDG Ecclesiastical Structure
