We managed to go to 7 church buildings throughout our pilgrimage in Bulacan final 2022. After visiting Bulakan Church (Examine: Our Girl of Assumption Parish), we went to 5 extra church buildings (the primary being the Obando Church). The subsequent three church buildings, nevertheless, had been already featured on this weblog as I’ve visited them previous to this pilgrimage. These embrace the historic Barasoain Church and the Minor Basilica and Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Malolos and the Diocesan Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon in Bocaue.
Be at liberty to go to my earlier articles right here:
After the Saint Kim Taegon Church, we went to a different church that was lately elevated as a Minor Basilica. Situated in Santa Maria, Bulacan is a church devoted below the patronage of La Purisima Conception (La Purisima and Inmaculada Concepcion are principally the identical title – Earlier than the time period “Inmaculada” was used after the dogma was outlined, the Filipino trustworthy would refer the Virgin as “La Purisima”.).
Earlier than the Spaniards got here to the Philippines, Santa Maria was only a huge wilderness, inhabited by wild animals and lined by thick and plush rainforests. Aetas and Dumagats are additionally recognized to inhabit the place a very long time in the past. Santa Maria was based as an impartial city by the Franciscan Fray Francisco Dominguez Javier on November 26, 1793. He started setting up the church which was accomplished within the early 1800s by Fray Tomas Marti. The development of the church was considered as the muse of the non secular campaign within the mentioned locality.
The primary church construction was made of sunshine supplies corresponding to bamboo and nipa. Because the Catholic inhabitants grew and the city developed, the church was ultimately rebuilt utilizing extra sturdy supplies. The church was renamed Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción. The late Pope Francis granted a Pontifical decree of coronation to the enshrined Marian picture on March 28, 2019. He later raised the shrine to the standing of Minor Basilica by way of decree on March 21, 2021. It turned the nineteenth minor basilica within the Philippines and the second within the Diocese of Malolos and Bulacan province.
The basilica follows the Baroque architectural type, with a easy but dignified façade and a bell tower. In contrast to the church in Bulakan, Santa Maria Church is much less ornate and is primarily of adobe stone. Adjoining to the church is a convent.
(there are a number of niches and rose home windows with grills and stained glasses)
There’s actually nothing a lot happening with its facade however you may actually admire the fantastic thing about its simplicity. You’ll be able to, nevertheless, spot a notable bas aid of the La Purisima Conception on its triangular pediment.
The bas aid of the Virgin Mary
The facet a part of the church
Adjoining to the church is a multi-tiered bell tower, additionally product of adobe and stone. The highest stage is octagonal with a dome-like roof and cross.
An up-close shot of the bell
The ornate home windows of Santa Maria Church
The facade of the church has a marker dated 1939 from the Philippines Historic Committee, now the Nationwide Historic Fee of the Philippines. The marker bears the identify “Church of Pandi”. The close by city of Pandi has its personal church, devoted additionally to the Immaculate Conception, and is positioned about 5 kilometers from the minor basilica in Santa Maria, Bulacan.
Opposite to its easy exterior, the inside of Santa Maria Church is completely grand.
The retablo is seemingly made with marble and gilded with gold together with carved floral and vine motifs, gold leaf accents.
There are additionally Latin inscription close to its dome.
The beautiful dome might be one of many church’s outstanding options. The dome incorporates a exceptional fresco pictures depicting Biblical figures together with the Archangels and the Apostles. You may as well discover totally different outstanding Marian titles together with the Our Girl of Salambao, Nuestra Señora de Asuncion, Virgen Del Carmen to call a couple of. 
The middle of the Retablo enshrines the picture of La Purisima Concepcion. The picture is believed to be miraculous. There are two native legends as to how the picture arrived in Santa Maria: first is that it was dropped at the city by the Franciscan Friars, second is that it was sculpted out of wooden from a galleon. The picture has been stolen within the Nineteen Thirties and was retrieved in Nueva Ecija by a person named Teofilo Ramirez who claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared in his dream and gave directions as to the place the picture will be discovered. The picture was returned to the city on a February and the townsfolk accordingly adjusted their feast day to the primary Thursday of February besides when its falls on February 2 (the feast of Our Girl of the Candles). On March 28, 2019, Pope Francis granted the canonical coronation of the picture of La Purisima Concepcion. This coronation happened in 2020.
Enshrined beside the picture of Mary are statues of her dad and mom Saint Joachim and Saint Anne
Saint Anne
The facet altars are equally stunning
Resurrection of Christ
Aspect altar
Saint Joseph
Santo Domingo de Guzman
Our Girl of Assumption
This publish is a part of my Bulacan Pilgrimage 2022 sequence. Be at liberty to revisit my earlier articles
You may additionally wish to go to my articles about different church buildings in Bulacan
Different locations to go to in Bulacan