Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Bulacan

Details:

– Also known as Malolos Cathedral

– Raised as a Minor Basilica on December 4, 1999

– The church served as the presidential palace of the Philippine First Republic

Mass Schedule:

M-S- 5AM-7AM (hourly), 6PM

Sun- 5AM-11AM, 5PM-7PM (hourly)

How to get from Cubao:

Ride bus/van going to Malolos, get off Malolos Crossing. Ride jeep with “Malolos Bayan” signboard and alight in front of Basilica.

(you may check the list of the 15 Minor Basilica in the Philippines here)

The Minor Basilicas in the Philippines

Minor Basilica is a title bestowed by the pope to a Catholic Church. Once granted with the title, the basilica has the privilege to use certain symbols like the papal coat of arms, apostolic umbrella and apostolic bell. It is said that you will receive plenary indulgence once you complete particular conditions like confessing your sins and attending mass on one of the minor basilica.

                         conopaeum (apostolic umbrella, Minor Basilica of Manaoag)

When I’ve heard that Our Lady of Manaoag became a Minor Basilica in 2015, I checked all the list and found out that I have visited most of the Minor Basilica in the Philippines. I have reached 2 of the farthest (Cebu & Cagayan), 3 minor basilicas where I frequently visit (Quiapo, Naga & Manaoag) and the others are easily accessible by land. That’s when I decided to include completing all 13 in my travel bucket list.

(Update March 2019)

                        actual declaration ceremony (Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

This 2019, two churches have been elevated into a minor basilica, the church of St. John the Baptist in Badoc Ilocos Norte and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Quezon City. I am definitely blessed because I was able to visit St. John the Baptist church before it was declared a minor basilica last 2017, when my family from Bicol went on a road trip to trace our roots from my grandfather’s side in Badoc. And more blessed when I was able to personally witnessed the declaration of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel into a minor basilica.

(Update October 2022)

crossed keys (papal’s coat of arms, Minor Basilica of Cebu)

From 2020 to 2022, 6 churches have been elevated into a minor basilica, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary in Orani Bataan in 2019, Minor Basilica of St. Pedro Bautista in Quezon City in 2020, Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion in Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Minor Basilica of St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Sinait, Ilocos Sur both in 2021 and Minor Basilica of St. Dominic de Guzman in San Carlos, Pangasinan and Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Taguig both in 2022. To date, I have visited 20 out of 21 Minor Basilica and hoping to visit the last 1 in Ilocos Sur before the year ends.

With the grace of the Lord, I was able to complete the 21 Minor Basilica this 2023:

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Manila – Date of Visit: frequent (my birthplace)

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Pangasinan – Date of Visit: frequent (my dad’s province)

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Camarines Sur – Date of Visit: frequent (my mom’s province)

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Bulacan – Date of Visit: Jan. 28, 2006 & Mar. 23, 2016

Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, Cebu – Date of Visit: Jan. 21, 2009 & July 31, 2010

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Piat, Cagayan – Date of Visit: Jan. 24, 2013

Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, Manila – Date of Visit: Dec. 4, 2015

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila – Date of Visit: Dec. 4, 2015

Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Manila – Date of Visit: Dec. 4, 2015

Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Quezon – Date of Visit: Jan. 17, 2016

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, La Union – Date of Visit: April 30, 2016

Minor Basilica of Immaculate Conception, Batangas – Date of Visit: Sept. 16, 2016

Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, Batangas – Date of Visit: Oct. 29, 2016

Minor Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Ilocos Norte – Date of Visit: Jun. 25, 2017

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Quezon City– Date of Visit: Mar. 25, 2019

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary, Bataan – Date of Visit: Aug. 27, 2022

Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion, Bulacan – Date of Visit: Aug. 27, 2022

Minor Basilica of St. Pedro Bautista, Quezon City – Date of Visit: Sept. 28, 2022                           

Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Taguig – Date of Visit: Oct. 6, 2022                

Minor Basilica of St. Dominic de Guzman, Pangasinan – Date of Visit: Oct. 31, 2022

Minor Basilica of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Ilocos Sur – Date of Visit: Jun. 3, 2023