“All Roads Lead to Rome”

This English Proverb generally means that different paths can take one to a certain goal.

It may speak about the great civilization of Rome where at one time in history it conquered many countries.  But for a Catholic - Rome is the center of power and authority in relation to one’s faith.  There lies the seat of Peter the first Pope, in whom our Lord Jesus entrusted the keys of His Church.  The authority of the Pope is unquestionable.  “Whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mt. 18:18)

For a pilgrim of faith who searches for truth and the will of God, Rome is the lighthouse that guides all the confused and weary travelers towards enlightenment and fulfillment.   The Holy Spirit that descended upon the disciples is the everlasting inspiration that guides the Church towards the realization of God’s Kingdom here on earth.  It is the same Holy Spirit that endows Rome with the grace to bestow blessings to strengthen its faithful towards true discipleship to Jesus.

For centuries, Filipinos have been going on pilgrimages to Marian shrines all over the country and, whenever they can find means for it, all over the world as well.  One of the places that tugs closest to the Filipino pilgrim’s heart is Manaoag.  The constant movement to and from the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary at Manaoag of people seeking spiritual consolation has been well recorded throughout the ages.  Such has the energy been generated at Manaoag that a spiritual bond between this sanctuary on a hill and the Basilica of Our Lady in Rome is about to be forged and will be promulgated on July 22, 2011.

On July 22 the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag will be an Affiliate to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.  This church is honored as a Basilica because it was one of the first churches in the world to be dedicated to Mary after she was declared the Mother of God at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D.

This means all the special blessings that the Basilica in Rome may share can also be shared with that of the Shrine in Manaoag.  All pilgrims who visit the Shrine, who are truly penitent and confessed their sins, received Holy Communion and prayed for the intention of the Holy Father will receive a blessing with Plenary Indulgence.

There have been times when the Plenary Indulgence was bestowed in churches for a particular time, e.g. for one year at U.S.T. Santisimo Rosario Parish on the 400th year foundation of the University of Santo Tomas or the Edsa Shrine for seven years.  But for the first time in the Philippines, a church has been granted to bestow Plenary Indulgence all year around and for all centuries to come, when one steps foot inside the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag and fulfill the conditions mentioned.  It is as if without having to step outside the Philippines, one has entered into a Basilica of Rome and enjoys the special blessings offered there.

The devotee to Our Lady of Manaoag is like that of St. John the Apostle.  Crucified at the Cross Jesus entrusts His mother to the beloved disciple.  She becomes the mother of the Church, and John takes care of her and along with the rest of the Church embraces her as mother.  The pilgrim in Manaoag finds rest at the welcoming and loving embrace of the Mother God. She inspires hope, strength, humility and obedience needed in being faithful to her Son. She now invites her children who are truly penitent to embrace her Son. By praying for the Church, receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist, the pilgrim’s heart and soul are cleansed from sin and nourished with the grace of God’s love and mercy. And by the grace of Plenary Indulgence, all sins confessed have their punishment here on earth remitted.

A tradition passed on from our ancestors has it that the building of the shrine at Manaoag was deliberately instructed to by Our Lady herself.  Likewise, Our Lady had a hand in the edification of the Basilica in Rome.  According to legend, Mary invited a Pope to build a church on a spot where snow had fallen, although it was summer. This occurred on the night of August 5, and thus to this day has come to commemorate Our Lady of the Snows.  Confessions in the Basilica have long been entrusted to the care of the Dominicans, and there came a time that the superior of the community that hears confession came from the Philippine Dominican Province, Fr. Norberto Castillo, O.P.

A pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Sanctuary in Manaoag has thus gained deeper spiritual significance. Our ties with the Holy Father in Rome have been strengthened.  Now, more than ever, we are impelled to bring about the Kingdom of God whom the Dominicans praise, bless and preach about.

The road to Manaog brings pilgrims to the home of their mother.  It is to the travelers’ joy that in this haven of rest and hope, one discovers a road stretching miraculously towards Rome and into the heart of Jesus that brings about fullness of life in grace.

The Road to Rome via Manaoag

by Fr. Charles Barrientos, OP and Regalado Jose