Catholic designation of a sacred place From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A national shrine is a Catholic church or other sacred place which has met certain requirements and is given this honor by the national episcopal conference to recognize the church's special cultural, historical, and religious significance.[1]
For a church to receive the status of a national shrine involves a number of steps and certifications. It must first be designated as a diocesan (or archdiocesan) shrine, an honor conferred by the local bishop or archbishop.[2] To be designated as a shrine, the subject church must be a place "to which numerous members of the faithful make pilgrimage for a special reason of piety."[1] It must exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services.[2] When these requirements are met, the parish petitions the (arch)bishop to canonically elevate the church.[2]
When devotion has grown, the (arch)diocesan shrine may petition the national Conference of Catholic Bishops. Evaluation by the nation's (arch)bishops involves considerations including canon law, liturgy, and doctrine.[2]
Declaration of an international shrine is conferred by the Holy See similar to basilicas.[3]
National Shrine of Our Lady Mary Nativity of El Guayco[fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora María Natividad del Guayco), La Magdalena
National Shrine of Our Lady of El Cisne[de; es; fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora del Cisne), El Cisne
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Grotto of La Paz[fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Gruta de La Paz), La Paz
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Presentation of El Quinche[de; fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Presentación del Quinche), El Quinche
Divine Mercy Sanctuary[es; fr] (Santuario Nacional de la Divina Misericordia), Guayaquil
Basílica del Voto Nacional a.k.a. Sacred Heart of Jesus Patron of Ecuador Basilica (Basílica Sagrado Corazón de Jésus, Patrono del Ecuador), Quito
Saint Narcisa de Jesús National Shrine[fr] (Santuario Nacional Santa Narcisa de Jesús), Nobol
Paraguay
National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help[fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro), Asunción
National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Asunción)[fr] (Santuario Nacional del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús), Asunción