Santo Domingo Church, La Naval de Manila shrine to be declared National Cultural Treasures

Sto. Domingo Church.
Photo by Lester Babiera

The Philippine government, through the National Museum, will declare this week the Santo Domingo Church, with its Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary-La Naval de Manila, in Quezon City as a National Cultural Treasure.

The declaration, according to the National Museum, recognizes Santo Domingo-La Naval both as an institution and a structure, as well as a repository of modern art.

The declaration will be formally announced on Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. during the traditional enthronement of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila, to be led by shrine rector Fr. Giuseppe Arciwals, OP. To formally accept the declaration is Fr. Gert Timoner, OP, the prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province.

October is the Rosary Month on the Catholic calendar. It is devoted to the Blessed Mother under the title Our Lady of the Rosary in reference to the Rosary devotion promoted by the Dominicans, one of the most influential religious orders in the history of the Church.

Siete Palabras, showcase of Filipino culture and faith, on April 6

A Filipino Dominican leading the faithful in prayer during Siete Palabras

The annual Siete Palabras at the historic Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, which has become a key Lenten broadcast on Philippine TV, will be on Good Friday, April 6.

Christ’s last words ring true

CHRIST’S horrific death should gloriously conquer the world.

This is the message of Siete Palabras, the Catholic tradition during the Lenten Season of reciting the Seven Last Words of Christ before His death, said Fr. Nilo Lardizabal, O.P., provincial secretary and Siete Palabras 2009 host.

“Horrific because we saw in it the anguish and pain of someone who loved us yet we fail to love that person back in many instances,” Lardizabal said in an e-mail. “Glorious because it was through such death that he conquered the sin of the world.”

He added that these words encourage Christians to embark on a journey that even Christ took toward Resurrection.