The Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental has been officially elevated to an Archdiocesan Shrine. The solemn declaration and the Concelebrated Mass were led by Most Rev. Jose A. Cabantan, DD, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The event was attended by several members of the clergy, local parishioners and devotees. It also coincided with the town fiesta honoring the Feast of The Our Lady of Lourdes.
Here’s the explanation on the Coat of Arms of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
BLAZON
Celeste, twelve stars of six points Or arranged in a semi-circular pattern above the monogram of the Blessed Virgin (A in Argent and M in Or), issuant from a barries wavy of six Argent and Azure a mound with a stream in pale all proper, in between two roses of the second.
EXPLANATION
On the upper part of the shield, the Marian monogram in gold and white, a symbol for the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a crown of twelve stars in gold. This prominently symbolizes the patroness of the Shrine, Our Lady of Lourdes. The Virgin, even though the devotion to her title as the Our Lady of Lourdes began in France, dwells in the town of Binuangan, which is brought by Rev. Fr. Gregorio Farrache during his mission in Balingasag and Talisayan Parishes.
On the base of the shield, the mound and spring, an icon that remembers the healing springs that the Blessed Virgin asked Saint Bernadette Soubirous to dig at the Grotto of Lourdes. The icon represents the thousands of miracles the Our Lady of Lourdes is attributed to. At the same time, the mound and spring, together with the sea, stand as symbols of the town Binuangan. In the said town a spring is also present, which Rev. Fr. Gregorio Farrache sees this as an opportunity to bring the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. Enshrining here near the spring, making it more symbolical and a manifestation of Our Lady’s miracle both in Lourdes and in Binuangan.
Between the mound with the spring, yellow roses are seen, which symbolize two meanings. First, during the apparition of the Blessed Virgin in Lourdes, France. When Saint Bernadette Soubirous saw the Blessed Virgin, she appeared in a white dress, a blue girdle, and a yellow rose on each foot.
Second, the yellow roses symbolize the ardent devotion of the people of Binuangan, in gestures of panaad and patunob. Panaad is the act of faithfully fulfilling a promise to the Virgin to intercede for the prayers of her devotees. And the gesture of patunob, the imposition of the image of Our Lady of Lourdes on the heads and shoulders of devotees, is an act of asking for the powerful intercession and healing of Our Lady.
The background, a celestial sky, representing Mary’s love for us. Her willingness to listen to our prayers and intercede for them. The celestial sky is also taken from the color of Our Lady’s girdle.
Designed by:
Mr. John Paul M. Aven
Artist, Escudos Eclesiasticos PH
Browse more photos below.
all photos by ACDO-Social Communications Apostolate, Turismo MisOr
