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houses several significant artifacts of our Shrine. Among these are important documents such as burial records, baptismal records, and confirmation records. The museum also carefully preserves valuable liturgical items, including antique chalices, communion plates, and various sacred vessels used in the Holy Mass, some of which can be traced back before the Second Vatican Council. These vessels, once integral to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, along with other artifacts, hold historical significance that reflects the rich heritage and foundation of our National Shrine.
he National Shrine Museum
An antique chalice with a marvelous design, this chalice was once used in the celebration of the Holy Mass to hold the Precious Blood of Christ. It was most prominently seen during the Consecration, when the bread and wine were consecrate into the Real Presence of Christ. At the moment when the priest proclaimed, “Do this in memory of me,” he would elevate the chalice, and the altar bell would ring, signifying the sacred moment of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
To be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant
St. John Henry Newman
One of the notable collections in the museum is a series of paintings featuring various parishes in Hagonoy, Bulacan. Some of these paintings depict the churches before their major facade renovations, offering a glimpse of their original architectural beauty, which may appear unfamiliar to many today.
The photo features two prominent churches: the National Shrine and Parish of Saint Anne in Hagonoy, Bulacan, and the Immaculate Conception Parish, Cathedral, and Minor Basilica, more commonly known as the Malolos Cathedral. Both churches hold significant historical and religious importance in the province of Bulacan.
Other paintings can be seen on the wall of the Convent Hall.
This section showcases some archival materials that are not on display in the museum.
Many Hagonoeños often describe the National Shrine and Parish of Saint Anne as a tall church with a bell tower reaching the sky, once painted in a pink facade, now in beige, and having a long aisle leading to the altar in the sanctuary. But have any of you ever seen the National Shrine and Parish of Saint Anne before the Japanese occupation?
Here, we present to you a glimpse of the beautiful facade of the Shrine of Saint Anne in 1940, as featured in a newspaper article during the celebration of the town's "Pistang Bayan" (Town Fiesta). This particular article was published in The Tribune on April 20, 1940 (Saturday), highlighting the vibrant and solemn celebration of the town fiesta at that time.
This also serves as proof that the solemn "Pistang Bayan" of the Hagonoeños, held every April, has been a long-standing tradition even before the war, reflecting the rich culture and deep devotion of the people of Hagonoy, which has been passed down through generations.
Until now, this beloved town fiesta of our ancestors continues to be observed in our town, beginning with a three-day spiritual preparation known as the Triduum, leading to the Fiesta which commences on the last week of April. The celebration includes the praying of the Novena to Saint Anne, the traditional devotion called Butil ni Apo Ana, the celebration of the Solemn Pontifical
Photo Source: Trove, official website of the National Library of Australia.
Mass, and a grand festive procession in honor of La Buena Familia (The Blessed Virgin Mary's Family). This procession is accompanied by the revered patron saints of the 26 barangays of Hagonoy, a tradition that continues to reflect the unwavering faith and unity of the Hagonoeños.
Pistang Bayan
of our ancestors
The Celebration of
HAGONOY OBSERVES TOWN FIESTA SUNDAY, MONDAY
The Tribune: Saturday April 20, 1940
Hagonoy, Bulacan Town Fiesta Supplement
By E. Bautista, TVT Correspondent and District Agent
The town Catholic church of Hagonoy where thousands of devotees will gather to "hear mass and sermon on the day of the fiesta. The church, unique for being the long est and perhaps the largest in the province of Bulacan, is under the Rev. Father Celestino Rodriguez, shown in the inset, who also administers the vast fishpond property of the local institution. In his three years incumbency as parish priest,
Father Rodriguez has introduced various improve ments in the local sacred institu tion, having reconstructed the church's bellfry, flooring, and premises including the construction of concrete fences.
Father Rodriguez finished his high school at the Ateneo de Manila and obtained his bachelor's degree from the Sto. Tomas seminary and was ordained priest in 1909, with Carmona, Cavite as his first assignment. Later he was transferred to Baclaran, Paranaque and Taguig, Riaal. From the latter town, he was transferred to Hagonoy. Because of his charitable services and liberal ideas, Father Rodriguez is well liked by the people of Hagonoy
the church had artistic value
Unverified sources assert that Hagonoy was already in existence as early as 1571 when it was a shanty town lorded by a certain Salpingan who, together with the chieftains of Betis and Macabebe, confronted Legaspi during the conquest of Manila. Don Gonzalo Ronquillo, governor of Bulacan region, reportedly gave away Hagonoy, then under the Augustinian minister of Calumpit, as an encomienda to Juan de Moriones. This devout conqueror then gave it to Fray Diego Ordoñez de Vivar, OSA in 1581.
The Libro del Gobierno speaks of Hagonoy for the first time during the Definitory of January 17, 1582, in which Fray de Vivar's signature appears on the agenda as vicar of Hagonoy. The Definitory of September 21, 1582 confirmed the appointment of Fray de Vivar as prior of Hagonoy under certain conditions stated and signed in Calumpit two days after: " Since he has already built a house, and has worked with religious zeal and due to his old age, we have agreed to grant him the title of Prior with the right to vote in the Provincial Chapters."
Fray de Vivar started a temporary chapel of nipa and bamboo in the barrio of Quinabalon, now Santa Monica and was placed under the advocation of Santa Ana, mother of Mary.
In the photo is the oldest known image of the facade of the National Shrine and Parish of Saint Anne, alongside a portrait of its curate, Fray Celestino Rodriguez. These were extracted from the newspaper shown above.
Source: National Library of Australia.
The stone/brick convent and church was allegedly built by Fray Juan Albarran, OSA from 1731 to 1734 but was burned down on August 12, 1748. Fray Eusebio Polo, OSA laid new foundation in 1749 at the present site so that the church will be protected from flooding. Fray Buenaventura Roldan, OSA completed the construction in 1752. In 1791, Fray Joaquin de Zuñiga, OSA was assigned here as parroco, and remarked that "the church had artistic value."
Fray Juan Coronado, OSA built the church again out of stone from 1815 to 1836, but was severely damaged by a fire in 1856. Fray Manuel Alvarez, OSA, then minister of Hagonoy, started the reconstruction in 1862 to accommodate the growing population. Once again, the church was damaged in 1871 and was repaired by Fray Ignacio Manzanares, OSA in 1872.
The church underwent remodeling between 1936 and 1961 under Fr. Celestino Rodriguez, and from 1968-1970 by Msgr. Jose Aguinaldo.