In a significant and symbolic gesture, the 17th-century Cathedral of Maasin in Southern Leyte has been declared a national shrine. This announcement, celebrated by the local Catholic community, underscores the cathedral’s importance as a centre for devotion and pilgrimage. Monsignor Oscar Cadayona, the vicar general of the Diocese of Maasin, expressed that this designation signifies a profound blessing for the faithful devotees of Nuestra Amada Señora de la Asunción (Our Beloved Lady of the Assumption). “This honour is a testament to the divine grace bestowed upon our community,” Cadayona shared with UCA News. As a national shrine, the Cathedral of Maasin, now officially known as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, will be under the over-sight of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). This prestigious recognition marks it as the first national shrine in the Eastern Visayas region, which encompasses six provinces and a predominantly Catholic population of around four million people. The announcement was made during the 128th plenary session of the CBCP in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, on July 6, 2024. The CBCP acknowledged the cathedral as a pivotal site for religious devotion and pilgrimage. “We look forward to welcoming pilgrims from across the Philippines,” Cadayona added. Mayor Nacional Mercado of Maasin City hailed the declaration, noting that it transforms Maasin into the pilgrimage capital of Eastern Visayas. “Our city is immensely honoured and blessed by this recognition,” Mercado stated on July 7.