UST engineering grad-turned-priest is new Quiapo Church rector

Art by Rovy Jilyn Fraginal/ THE FLAME

A THOMASIAN alumnus has been appointed as the new rector and parish priest of Quiapo Church.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula designated Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan as head of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, more commonly known as Quiapo Church, through a circular issued on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Licuanan, a graduate of the UST Faculty of Engineering, will replace Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr. starting February.

Sescon, who has been named by Pope Francis as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga, announced Licuanan’s appointment during a thanksgiving mass for the anniversary of Quiapo Church as a national shrine also on Jan. 29.

“I am pleased to announce that our new rector and parish priest of Quiapo is Fr. Jade Licuanan, the current parish priest of San Felipe Neri Parish in Mandaluyong. Let us pray for Fr. Jade that he will continue to be an instrument of blessing and mercy and also be an instrument, not only to be a devotee, but a disciple… of Jesus Nazarene,” Sescon said.

The newly-appointed rector took theology courses at San Carlos Seminary Graduate School of Theology. He also studied at Holy Apostles Senior Seminary in Makati.

Prior to his appointment, Licuanan served as parish priest of San Felipe Neri Parish in Mandaluyong City for two years. He will be succeeded by Fr. Cesar Buhat.

Licuanan will continue to work as commissioner of the Archdiocese Commission on Youth Manila until he officially assumes rectorship next month.

A parish rector’s duties include heading all worship and spiritual jurisdictions of the church, selecting clergy members and supervising the parish’s infrastructure developments.

The Quiapo Church is home to the Nazareno, an image depicting a dark-skinned Christ carrying the cross. The statue’s transfer from Intramuros to its present shine in Quiapo or the Traslacion is commemorated every 9th of January.

The church was declared a national shrine on January 29, 2024. F

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