#mariandevotee

Being a youth, I want to travel in different places with historical background that will nourish my knowledge about the past. The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception also known as Manila Cathedral, is the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within today's modern city of Manila, Philippines. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, a title for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the principal patroness of the country. The cathedral serves as the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Manila.

I visited this place last year Independence Day in which the church has its open house therefore the visitors can have an access in different spots of the church that is not open in ordinary days. This is an annual activity of the cathedral for the Filipinos and other tourists to see the beauty of the church. Being an altar server, this is a very big deal for me especially when I have a chance to be on the sanctuary of the Cathedral since Pope Francis held a mass on it last 2015.

Also, we take the opportunity to be on the balcony of the church wherein you will see the Plaza Rome outside the Basilica, it was indeed a nice spot to have picture since the background are the old buildings and gives an aesthetic vibe. The only way to be on the balcony is a narrow stairs in which one man at a time in walking up or down. However, when you are on the middle of the stairs there is a hole that leads to the choir loft of the church, it was indeed a beautiful place because I have the chance to see the pipe organ while playing the tune of ‘graduation march’. I was surprised because the following is my graduation from senior high in which it gives me an excitement. Also, being on top of the choir loft you will see the overall view of the basilica that is indeed a beautiful one. 

We also visited the crypt below the main sanctuary of the church wherein you will visit there the tomb of the previous archbishops of Manila. It was very cold down there not like the cold inside the basilica because it was a closed and small room only. I was astonished when I saw the three-subject mosaic depicts the Lord’s agony on His way to Calvary, the meeting of Jesus and Mary and the Crucifixion.

Also, I have the chance to be on the ‘pulpit’ or a raised platform in a church from which the priest delivers a sermon during the old days since they don’t have microphones yet. It was also an opportunity to visit our friend priest there, Fr. Kali Llamado who is the vice rector of the cathedral in which we had a short conversation with him and invited us on December for the Marian procession.

I visited again the cathedral last December to attend the Marian Procession that includes 100 images of the Blessed Mother from different places in the Philippines. It was held every first Sunday of December of each year in which it is also my examination in University of Santo Tomas, since my exam is morning I plan to go there immediately after lunch to attend mass at 2:00PM. Also, Alfredo and I have the same time of exams and I told him my plan and he wanted to come over with me since it would be his first time to visit the cathedral. He was indeed astonished and surprised when he steps inside the basilica but after mass he went home already. I find a spot wherein I will see the procession; it was indeed a memorable day for me.