The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
( Ciudad del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus)
The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was established as a diocese on
August 14, 1595. It was elevated as a metropolitan archdiocese on
April 28, 1934 with the dioceses of Dumaguete, Maasin, Tagbilaran
and Talibon as suffragans. Lack of funds and other unexpected events
were some of the factors on the delayed construction of the cathedral.
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is meters away from Rajah Humabon
Park, 5 minutes away from Colon St. Marker, 8 minutes away from Cebu Heritage Site, 10 minutes away from Sto. Niño Church and
Magellan’s Cross and 15 minutes away from Fort San Pedro. Folks
nearby the church are very willing to give you directions to these nearby
sports.
Contents
1. Blessed Virgin Mary as Principal
Patroness
2. Shrine Rectors
3. Details of the Shrine
4. Burials and funerals
5. Gallery
6. Rosary
7. The Lord’s Prayer
Information
Affiliation
Ecclesiastical or
organizational status
Status
Roman Catholic
Seat of Metropolitan
Archdiocese of Cebu
Active
Description (Architect)
Groundbreaking
1689
Completed
1909, rebuilt in 1950 after World War II.
THE GRIFFIN AT THE CATHEDRAL'S PEDIMENT
Blessed Virgin Mary as Principal Patroness
The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as the the Mother of God, Mother of Jesus and the wife of
St. Joseph, and is said to have been conceived without sin.
This belief is not merely in the virginity of Mary, but in her continuing role within the Church
and in the life of ordinary Catholics, for which Catholicism in the Dogmatic Constitution of the
Church (21 November 1964) passed during the Second Vatican Council, granted her the title
Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix. Colloquially, she is often referred to as Our Lady.
Shrine Rectors
Rev. Msgr. Augusto Pedrosa, PC (1972–1985)
Rev. Msgr. Domingo Cirilos, PC (1985–1996)
Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel, PC (1996–2002)
Rev. Msgr. Nestor Cerbo, PC (2002–present)
Details of the Shrine
The main façade is replica of the original façade of the previous cathedral, along with statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman
travertine stone. In the previous cathedral, they were originally made of molave wood. The statues of St. Rose of Lima was sculpted
by Angelo Fattinanzi while Saint Jacob, Saint Andrew, St. Anthony the Abbott was done by sculptress Livia Papini; St. Francis Xavier St.
Polycarp by Alcide Tico.[16]
The front facade (tympanum) of the cathedral has a notable Latin inscription which reads: Tibi
cordi tuo immaculato concredimus nos ac consecramus. (English: We consecrate to your
immaculate heart and entrust to you (Mary) for safekeeping.) Since Blessed Pope John Paul
II's Apostolic Visit to the basilica in 1981, a grand logo of the Papal Keys and Papal Tiara has
been prominently featured on the top-front facade of the cathedral. The red galero hat of
Cardinal Rufino Santos is also hoisted on the ceiling of the dome of the cathedral.
Burials and funerals
The cathedral is the resting place for former prelates who have served the Archdiocese of
Manila.




Michael J. O'Doherty, the last foreign Archbishop of Manila;
Gabriel Reyes, the first Filipino Archbishop of Manila;
Rufino Jiao Santos, the first Filipino Cardinal;
Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, the prelate who is considered to be one of the leaders of the
People Power Revolution.
It also hosted two funerals for two former Presidents of the Philippines:
 Carlos P. Garcia, 8th President of the Philippines (1957–1961);
 Corazon Aquino, 11th President of the Philippines (1986–1992).
The Cathedral was recently used as a venue for the wake and requiem mass for former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino,
who died on August 1, 2009. In an unprecedented move by the Archdiocese of Manila, protocol was not observed in permitting
Aquino's remains to lie in state at the Cathedral, making her the first woman to have been permitted to do lie in state, as only
Archbishops of Manila are accorded this honor. Former president Carlos P. Garcia was the first layperson to lie in state and have a
requiem mass at the cathedral.
Gallery
Seat of Power
The Dome
The Power of the Golden Orbs
The Main Altar
Belfry and Facade
The Griffin
The naive and ceiling
The church was almost completely destroyed during World War II. These are the remaining original structures.
The Rosary
The rosary is a devotion in honor of the Virgin Mary. It consists of a set number of specific prayers.
First are the introductory prayers: one Apostles’ Creed (Credo), one Our Father (the Pater Noster or
the Lord’s Prayer), three Hail Mary’s (Ave’s), one Glory Be (Gloria Patri).
The Lord’s Prayer
The next prayer in the
it to his disciples. It is a
Lord's Prayer "is truly the
said elsewhere, 'Ask and you
regular
and
appropriate
rosary—“Our Father” is even more acceptable to Protestants because Jesus himself taught
congregation of sinners that acknowledges that Jesus shed his blood for all of us. "The
summary of the whole gospel." "Since the Lord...after handling over the practice of prayer,
will receive,' and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the
prayer (the Lord's Prayer) is said first, as the foundation of further desires."
His Excellency Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, DD
Episcopal Vicar:
Rev. Msgr. Jose P. Dosado, Jr., HP
Episcopal Vicar Extra:
Rev. Fr. Agustin P. Polong, MSC (Mactan & Camotes Islands)
Vicariates: 4 Parishes: 25 Basilica: 1 Chaplaincy: 1
Vicariate of the Most Holy Rosary
Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Wilfredo C. Borces, MSP
CEBU METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL (F-1598)
P. Burgos St., 6000 Cebu CityTel. (032) 253-6422, 255-8823
Titular: Holy Guardian Angels, Oct. 2
Patron: St. Vitales, April 28
Patroness: Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8
Parish Priest: Msgr. Roberto F. Alesna, PA, VG
Parochial Vicars: Rev. Fr. Benjie B. Herrera, Rev. Fr. Brian C. Brigoli,
Rev. Fr. Jose Dave B. Villaceran, Rev. Fr. Joseph Y. de Aquino,
Rev Fr. Wesley T. Noel
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Confirmation:
Every 1st Saturday of the Month
Seminar
= 9:00 AM
Confirmation = 10:30 AM
Mass Wedding:
Every last Thursday of the Month
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Novenas:
Wednesdays
5:30 PM – Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Fridays
5:30 PM – Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Santo Niño