THE National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City's patron, has been canonically crowned by the Vatican as the 55th Marian image in the Philippines, Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian said on Monday.

He told The Manila Times that the sacred canonical coronation was presided over by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Reverend Charles John Brown, and was held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Barangay Marulas on February 25.

Devotees, pilgrims, and parishioners gathered to venerate Our Lady of Fatima and to witness the canonical coronation at the Parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Gatchalian said.

Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo, Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, Jr. and 12 other bishops and archbishops also joined the consecration.

"This momentous event marks the history of Valenzuela as the home of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima," the mayor said.

During the Eucharistic celebration, a reading of the Papal Decree took place, followed by the blessing of the rosary and crown which were then bestowed upon the image of Our Lady of Fatima.

A canonical coronation is an institutional act from the Pope through a Papal decree wherein an ornamental crown is bestowed upon a sacred image of Christ or the Virgin Mary.

"The canonical coronation of the National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated not only by the City of Valenzuela but also by devotees from the whole country," the city chief executive said.

"This milestone shall inspire deeper faith and devotion amongst Filipinos, ultimately leading to a prayerful citizenry," he added.

The National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima was formally turned over to the city in 1999.

In 2011, Our Lady of Fatima was declared as the patroness of Valenzuela City through an ordinance.

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