THE SHRINE

The Seed of Christianity in Marikina

Catholicism in Marikina began to flourish when the settlement was ceded to the Augustinians by the Jesuits, in a rural area which they named “Jesus de la Pena” which means Jesus on the Rocks.

April 16, 1630 - First Holy Mass was celebrated in a small rest house which later became the Chapel along Chorillo now known as Barangka. 

March 10, 1687 – The Church was transferred to the Parish’s current location by order of Governor Gabriel Cruz Elasque to accommodate a growing congregation and  to spare the Parish from flooding.

1690 – The Parish was canonically erected.  

October 23, 1791 – the parish was consecrated by the Archdiocese of Manila under the Patronage of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, Our Lady of the Abandoned.

During the Philippine – American War, the first image of Our Lady of the Abandoned and some pertinent records of the Parish were burnt and destroyed. 

1902 – The image of Our Lady of the Abandoned was commissioned for veneration through the efforts and initiatives of the Parishioners. 

1957 – The Parish was restored and refurbished by Fr. Silvestre dela Cruz of the Archdiocese of Manila with the help of religious and civic organizations. 

May 12, 2002 – The image was honored with the Episcopal Coronation by Most Rev. Crisostomo A. Yalung D.D., then Bishop of Antipolo brought about by the numerous miracles attributed to her intercessions. 

December 22, 2003 – Our Lady of the Abandoned was declared “Pintakasi ng Bayan ng Marikina” or Patroness of the City and the Mother of Marikina’s Catholic Faith by virtue of Resolution No. 192, Series of 2003 which was approved by Honorable Mayor Maria Lourdes C. Fernando.

October 23, 2005 - The first Canonically Crowned Marian image under Pope Benedict XVI Pontificate. 

August 5, 2007 - Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, then Bishop of Antipolo, consecrated the altar and elevated the Parish Church as a Diocesan Shrine under the Patronage of Our Lady of the Abandoned.