Boac Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish (Filipino: Parokyang Katedral ng Kalinis-linisang Paglilihi), commonly referred to as Boac Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church and cathedral in the town center of Boac, Marinduque, in the Mimaropa region of the Philippines.[1]
| Boac Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish Parokyang Katedral ng Kalinis-linisang Paglilihi Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa Parroquia Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción | |
Boac Cathedral in 2020 | |
Boac Cathedral Location in Luzon Boac Cathedral Boac Cathedral (Philippines) | |
| 13°26′55″N 121°50′30″E / 13.448570°N 121.841630°ECoordinates: 13°26′55″N 121°50′30″E / 13.448570°N 121.841630°E | |
| Location | Boac, Marinduque |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/icpboac/ |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1580, 1792 |
| Dedication | Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Prompt Succor |
| Dedicated | 1792 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Baroque, Fortress church |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Lipa |
| Diocese | Boac |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Marcelino Antonio Maralit |
The seat of the Diocese of Boac,[1] the cathedral today is surrounded by its likewise centuries-old defensive walls, and was declared a Philippine Important Cultural Property (ICP) in 2018 by the national museum of the country.[2][3]At present, the Cathedral houses the Sacred Heart Pastoral Center (Bishop's residence) as well as the Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa within its compound.
In 2021, the cathedral was designated as a jubilee church of the Diocese of Boac during the celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.[4]
History
A Franciscan missionary, Fray Estevan Ortiz, planted the first cross on Marinduque island in 1579. Monserrat de Marinduque, the first visita, (now Boac), was established with Fray Alonzo Banol as its minister a year later in 1580.
The Franciscans ceded the administration of the island in 1618 to the Archbishop of Manila, Miguel García Serrano, who then entrusted the island to the Society of Jesus. In 1621, the Jesuits assumed the spiritual administration of the island. The church was constructed facing east with its rear overlooking the lower town, called labak by the natives, in 1756. It was seen to serve as a refuge of the townspeople against pirate attacks prevalent in the era, in addition to its purpose as a place for worship when it was finally built in 1792.[2][3]
Local accounts include that once, when the townspeople were being attacked by Moro pirates, while taking refuge within the church's walls, they prayed fervently to their patroness, the Immaculate Conception, for salvation from the attack. Oral tradition also holds that while the natives were being killed, they are all praying when a supposed apparition of Mary with outstretched hands drove away the intruders. This event led to the devotion to Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa (Our Lady of Prompt Succor) as their patroness's new title.[2]
In 1899, the flag for the revolution in the Philippines brought by Canuto Vargas was blessed in the cathedral.[5] in 1958, the venerated image of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa was canonically crowned and is considered as the patroness of the province.[2] The historical marker installed at the cathedral states that a Boac parish priest named Saturnino Trinidad helped Colonel Maximo Abad surrender to the Americans under H.H. Bandholtz.[5]
Image of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa, enshrined at the cathedral compound
Interior of the cathedral
Clergy
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ian Retardo
Parochial Vicars: Rev. Fr. Rotheto Amodia, Rev Fr. Fabio Fiegalan, Rev Fr. Reynel Sajul
Resident Priests: Rev. Fr. Bienvenido Marticio, Rev. Fr. Isagani Milambiling
References
- ^ a b "Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Boac, MARINDUQUE, MIMAROPA, Philippines". GCatholic. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Boac cathedral is 'greatest monument' of faith, history". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Tagalog News: Boac Cathedral binigyan ng pagkilala ng National Museum". PNA. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ "List of Jubilee Churches for the celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines". CBCPNews. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
- ^ a b "MARKER AT MARINDUQUE BOAC CATHEDRAL, THE FORTRESS CHURCH". LakadPilipinas. Retrieved March 3, 2021.