Antipolo shrine gets papal ‘Golden Rose’

MANILA, Philippines — The International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or the Antipolo church has received a ”Golden Rose” or Rosa d’Oro from Pope Francis.

Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, who represented the pope, offered the Golden Rose at the foot of the image of the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje as he led the thanksgiving mass in celebration of the church’s international shrine status on Feb. 26.

“The Golden Rose is considered the highest honor given personally by the Supreme Pontiff to a Marian image and shrine across the world as it is a commissioned gift from the Pope himself,” the Antipolo church said in a post on its official Facebook page.

Roses made of pure gold have been traditionally blessed by the pope every fourth Sunday of Lent, which are kept until granted to an image or shrine.

“This gift to Antipolo is the first time that a Marian shrine in the Philippines and in Asia has been given this honor,” the Antipolo church said.

It was the ninth time that Pope Francis had given a Golden Rose as a gift to a Marian shrine.

His first offering was during the Year of Faith at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico in 2013.