Church of Mary Co-Redemptrix 1.34

History of the Shrine of Mary Co-Redemptrix

Seven years ago, in the year 2000, our Institute, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, searched for a place in the island of Cebu where we could build a Church that will be dedicated to Mary Mediatrix of All Graces. Fr. Bonaventure Maria Valles, FI, who was then the General Delegate of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate was able to find a place at Brgy. San Jose, Talamban, Cebu City. The process of acquiring the land was then begun. It was quite difficult because it was composed of different lots belonging to different owners. Some were donated and some were bought.

After finishing all the projects that we have, we turned our attention to the construction of the Church in Talamban. Funds were raised through begging and raffle draws, one during the time of Fr. Bonaventure Maria and one during Fr. Bernardine Maria’s time. About the year 2005, our Major Superiors in Italy told us to change the name of the Church to be built. It should be dedicated instead to Mary Coredemptrix, like the one we have in Naga City.

On January, 2006, our Father General, Rev. Fr. Stefano Maria Manelli visited our communities here in the Philippines. Fr. Stefano took time to visit the site in Talamban where he blessed the area. He looked carefully at the tentative architectural plan of the future Church and suggested that the plan be changed since it was too massive and therefore too expensive. He wanted to pattern the new Church after that of Naga City with some modifications such as a wider and longer structure to be able to accommodate more people and our long time friend in Manila, namely Engr. Jose Soriano Jr, prepared the plan.

On June, 2006 our Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Gabriele Maria Pellietieri came to the Philippines. He was able to talk with Engr. Soriano to finalize the plans. Finally on August 2, 2006, in the presence of Fr. Gabriele Maria the corner stone of the new Church was laid. Soon after, on August 22 the ground breaking began and the construction commenced in full swing. Funds for the construction came from Italy and the Philippines, all given as donations from generous souls. Mrs. Mercy Tuason, helped us a lot for this project through her generosity and has never stopped helping us since 1992 when we constructed our first convent in Brgy. Tolo-Tolo, Consolacion, Cebu. The Friars, Sisters, Tertiaries, MIM members and YFI (Youth Franciscans of the Immaculate) all cooperated wonderfully to the realization of this awesome project of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Friar Michael Angelo Mary and a painter, Friar John Michael Mary worked together to make the beautiful design of the altar, especially the statue of Jesus, and Mary as Coredemptrix, which was placed on top of the main altar in sanctuary. The beautiful golden tabernacle came all the way from India, donated by one of our benefactors, Mrs. Susan Khambata. The thick one-piece marble slab was shipped all the way from Romblon.

Finally on November 18, 2007 at exactly 3:30 in the afternoon, the new Church dedicated to Mary Coredemtprix was solemnly blessed and consecrated by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu.