MANILA, Sept. 25, 2012— The Sto. Domingo Church and its liturgical objects in Quezon City will officially be declared as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum on October 4.
Fr. Clarence Victor Marquez, OP, director of the Institute of Preaching, said the occasion will coincide with the traditional enthronement ceremonies of the canonical image of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, La Naval de Manila.
The original church structure, which was of gothic structure architecture, was previously located within Intramuros, Manila and managed by the Dominican Order. It was reconstructed again after it collapsed in 1589 but this time it was made up of concrete.
In 1960s, the Sto. Domingo Church was relocated to Quezon City after getting lot of destruction during the Second World War.
It also became the new national shrine of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila.
Since it is a shrine accessible to many residents of the city, the church became a melting pot of devotees from different places.
In December 1971, the autonomous Philippine Dominican Province was created, and the church was placed under the care of the Filipino Dominican priests, who accepted the responsibilities of the parish two and a half months later.
On February 23, 1972, the Sto. Domingo Church was canonically established and was declared a parish church.
From among the clergy assigned to the parish, a priest is elected and recommended to the local bishop for appointment.
For the parishioners, the church is not only a cultural treasure but also a refuge of the poor. During typhoons and floods, many families run inside for shelter and stay there for several days. [CBCPNews]
