“The Shrine makes reference to our condition as pilgrims, who with Christ walk to the definitive goal in the presence of God,” stressed the Archbishop of San Jose.
Costa Rica – San Jose (08/12/2021 5:15 PM, Gaudium Press) The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose, Costa Rica, has been elevated to the status of National Shrine during a Eucharistic celebration presided by Archbishop José Rafael Quirós of San José. The new Shrine houses a Statue of St Joseph of Spanish origin, venerated since 1926.
Sacraments from pilgrims from all over the country
“There are many elements that have led our Cathedral to this designation as a Shrine. The Cathedral attends many people from all over the country who request to be attended to in the Sacrament of Confession, in the visit to the Blessed Sacrament, and in raising their prayers to St. Joseph. To this is added the centennial of the erection of the Archdiocese, and all that St. Joseph means from the historical point of view for the province and the entire country,” stated the prelate.
Request made by the Bishop of San Jose
According to the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, since the convocation of the Year of Saint Joseph by Pope Francis, Archbishop Quirós set up a special commission to plan the yearly plan of evangelization. “After reflecting on the figure of St. Joseph from the perspective of the incarnation and his presence in the life of Jesus and Mary, he considered requesting the Episcopal Conference to erect the Cathedral as a National Shrine,” says a note from the national Conference of Bishops.
Six National Shrines in Costa Rica
Besides the Metropolitan Cathedral, Costa Rica has five other Shrines: the Basilica of the Angels, in Cartago; Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, in Alajuelita; Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, in Santa Cruz; Sweet Name of Jesus and Sacred Heart of Jesus, both in San Jose. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
