Minor Basilica

    Because of this particular importance for liturgical and pastoral life, the Holy Father recognized the Church of Santa Maria, the Parish of La Purísima Concepción, and granted the title of Minor Basilica, thereby establishing its particular link with the Roman Catholic Church and the Supreme Pontiff. Below are the merits that the parish has considered in this petition:

 

1. The Church of Santa Maria is dedicated to God by a liturgical rite and stands out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy, especially though celebrations of the Most Holy Eucharist, of penance, and of other sacraments, the celebrations that enable the faithful to actively participate because of the preparations done for their fulfillment in accordance with liturgical norms;

2. The Church of Santa Maria strictly follows the guidelines on sacred space as prescribed by the Second Vatican Council through the Sacrosanctum Concillium, and the General Instructions of the Roman Missal;

3. The Church of Santa Maria, aside from its antiquity as one of the Spanish colonial churches in the Philippines, is home to the miraculous image of La Purísima Concepción for more than two centuries, thus gathering a wide and popular devotion to the Blessed Mother;

4. The Church of Santa Maria has an adequate number of priests for the celebrations of the various seasons throughout the liturgical year, carried out in a praiseworthy manner and assigned to the liturgical and pastoral care of the church, especially for the celebration of the Eucharist and penance;

5. The Church of Santa Maria has a sufficient number of ministers, as well as an adequate schola cantorum, which encourages the participation of the faithful through sacred music and singing.

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Offices and Duties Proper to a Minor Basilica

 

1. In a minor basilica the liturgical instruction of the faithful is to be promoted by establishing groups concerned with liturgical activity, by special courses of instruction given in a series of conferences, and by other programs of this kind.

2. The celebrations of the liturgical year are to be prepared and carried out with great care, especially the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The word of God is to be diligently proclaimed either in homilies or in special sermons. The active participation of the faithful is to be promoted both in the Eucharistic celebration and in the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, especially at Morning and Evening Prayer. In addition, approved forms of devotion are to be suitably fostered.

3. Since the celebration of the liturgy takes on a more noble form when it is carried out in song, care must be taken that gatherings of the Christian faithful be associated with the singing of the various parts of the Mass.

4. To make clear the particular bond of communion by which the minor basilica is united with the Roman cathedra of Peter, every year there must be celebrated with particular care:

1. the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle (February 22);

2. the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29);

3. the anniversary of the Supreme Pontiff's election or inauguration into the supreme ministry.

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Privileges connected with the title of Minor Basilica

 

1. The day on which the concession of the title of basilica to a certain church is publicly announced should be prepared for and observed in a festive way with appropriate sermons, prayer vigils, and other celebrations, all taking place not only on the days immediately preceding the proclamation of the title but also on those immediately afterwards.

2. The faithful who devoutly visit the basilica and within it participate in any sacred rite or at least recite the Lord's Prayer and the profession of faith may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Supreme Pontiff):

   1. on the anniversary of the dedication of the same basilica - November 27

   2. on the day of the liturgical celebration of the title - December 8

   3. on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - June 29

   4. on the anniversary of the granting of the title of basilica - February 19

   5. once a year on a day to be determined by the local Ordinary;

   6. once a year on a day freely chosen by the each of the faithful.

3. The papal symbol, that is, "crossed keys," may be exhibited on banners, on furnishings, and on the seal of the basilica.

4. The rector of the basilica or the person in charge of it may wear in the exercise of his office — over the cassock or the religious habit and the surplice — a black mozetta with red piping, buttons, and button holes.

 

Symbols

1. The Papal Cross Keys, the symbol of the Papacy, represent Christ’s promise to Peter. The presence of the key symbolizes the continuous relationship of the Basilica with the Holy Father in Rome.

2. The umbraculum, the “big umbrella” that is also known as a conopaeum, is a historic part of the papal regalia, once used on a daily basis to provide shade for the people. In modern usage the umbraculum is a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church and the authority of the Pope. It is found in basilicas throughout the world, placed prominently at the right of their main altars. Whenever the pope visits a basilica its umbraculum is opened.

3. The tintinnabulum, a bell mounted on a wall, is placed in a Roman Catholic Basilica to signify the church’s connection with the Pope. During the Middle Ages, the tintinnabulum was used to alert the people of the approach of the Holy Father during papal processions.