THE SANTISIMO Rosario Parish is planning to prepare its petition for the pontifical coronation of the image of the Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario next month.
Santisimo Rosario parish priest Fr. Glen Mar Gamboa, O.P. said enough testimonies have been gathered to highlight the prayer intentions granted through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“We are preparing for the petition of the Pontifical Coronation of our beloved image of Santisimo Rosario. Because now, the testimonies of her miracles are slowly being experienced by many devotees,” Gamboa told The Flame.
“Next month we will start the process involving paper works. Hopefully next year, it will be granted,” he added.
Gamboa said the Parish would ask the Archdiocese of Manila to petition the pontifical coronation of the Marian image to the Vatican.
To complete the petition, the Parish would need to document the religious activities, miracles and the history of devotion to the Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, also the patroness of UST.
However, since the episcopal coronation is already a big step towards acquiring recognition from the Pope, Gamboa said the parish must first be prepared for this development. The parish priest said the approval of the petition would only be revealed once the Church and the community is ready.
Once the image is recognized by the Pope, the devotion of parishioners would also be strengthened beyond the campus grounds, Gamboa said.
“This will intensify the devotion to deepen their faith [to the Santisimo Rosario]… not just [for] the community of Santo Tomas, but also those in the jurisdiction of our parish,” he added.
A pontifical coronation is a rare recognition bestowed upon images that have been proven to inspire widespread and lasting devotion to generations of believers. It is considered the highest honor that a sacred image can receive from the Catholic Church.
The Marian image received episcopal coronation – a recognition of a fervent local devotion by a local bishop – on Sunday, Oct. 4. F — with reports from Abigail Peralta
