Manaoag marks 100th coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary

Thousands of devotees gathered in Pangasinan on 22 April to mark the centennial celebration of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the image’s original coronation in 1926.

The celebration, held at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, highlighted a rare honor granted by Pope Pius XI.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos joined devotees in the ceremonies, which included the presentation of the Centennial Crown and the Pontifical Mass.

Marcos led the reading of the Centennial Prayer and took part in the reenactment of the 1926 coronation rites, during which he held the ceremonial crown.

The crown was offered to Archbishop Charles John Brown, who represented the Pope during the celebration.

The Pontifical Mass was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, with a homily delivered by Cardinal Jose Advincula.

Earlier, the church was formally rededicated in rites led by Socrates B. Villegas.

“This is truly the Day that the Lord has made for he has reminded us through these rites that we are the living stones of his Church. Mary, our Apo Baket—the Mother of the Church, rejoices with us in praise of Almighty God,” Villegas said.

The original canonical coronation took place on 21 April 1926 and was presided over by Monsignor Guglielmo Piani, then Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines.

The centennial celebration concluded with a grand procession honoring the revered image, also known as Apo Baket.