Information about Minor Basilica of our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag

Minor Basilica of our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag is located in the north of the Philippines. It’s a well-known pilgrimage site in the town of Manaoag, Pangasinan. The miraculous ivory and silver image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, also known as Nuestra Señora de Manaoag, is several centuries old. Behind the church, visitors can find a souvenir shop, a parish office, a candle gallery, a pilgrims’ center, a rosary garden, and clean restrooms. 

According to folk tradition in the 1600s, an apparition of the Blessed Mother showed herself to a farmer through a heavenly glow of light, and relayed to him the message about where she wanted her church to stand. The man took the message to the townspeople, and soon after, they built a small church. 

Another miraculous event happened involving a dead infant, who rose again after laying it down on the altar of the church. Over time, more and more testimonials and tales of Our Lady of Manaoag’s miraculous cures spread nationally and beyond foreign borders. This inspired the pilgrims and invited those who were extremely ill to pray and seek healing miracles from Our Lady. Soon after, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary became famous for being the patroness of the sick, the helpless, and those in dire need of favors and healing from God. 

The church stood against bombings during World War II and an earthquake in 1982. It was said that a bomb crashed through the church’s roof, yet it failed to set off inside, saving the sacred establishment miraculously. 

In 2014, the church was declared a Minor Basilica by His Holiness Pope Francis. The following year, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag as a National Cultural Treasure. The formal ceremony of its marker took place in 2018. 

How to get there

Take a bus from Cubao or Pasay bound for Manaoag, Pangasinan. Tell the driver to drop you off at the Manaoag Church.

Best time to visit

Minor Basilica of our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag is a religious site open to the public daily.