The country’s oldest national shrine is one of the Marian sanctuaries across the world that will lead a Vatican-initiated global prayer marathon for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each day in May, there will be a livestream in all Vatican media platforms from one of the 30 chosen Marian shrines to guide a prayer at 6pm Rome time (12 midnight, Manila), with a different prayer intention related to the pandemic.

Pope Francis will open the month-long rosary initiative on May 1 and conclude it on May 31.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, also known as the Antipolo Cathedral, is scheduled on May 7 for the intentions of all the families.

The shrine joins other famous Marian sanctuaries around the world including the Basilica of the Annunciation in Israel, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Mother Mary’s House in Turkey and Our Lady of Lourdes in France, among others.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared the church as a national shrine in 1954, making it not just the first in the country but also in Southeast Asia.

The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization has earlier announced the rosary initiative dedicating the whole month of May to prayer for an end of the health crisis.

It takes place under the theme, “The whole Church was fervently praying to God,” which recalls a verse in the Book of Acts (12:5).