Filipinos have been praying to Our Lady of the Rosary since the 17th century

The Basilica of Our Lady of Piat is located on the outskirts of the town of Piat, in the province of Cagayan, Philippines.

In 1604, Dominican friars brought to the Philippines a statue of the Black Madonna, invoked as "Our Lady of the Holy Rosary". The statue was enthroned in Piat, in a small shrine, on the feast of Saint Stephen, December 26, 1623. It was incredible that such a great multitude should have gathered there, given that the area was not densely populated, and the work of evangelization had only begun 25 years earlier.

Our Lady of Piat was carried in procession to other towns, which is why she is also called Our Lady of the Visitation.

In the 17th century, the Visitation was celebrated on July 2, so the shrine's feast day is still celebrated on July 2.

On June 22, 1999, the shrine was elevated to the rank of Minor Basilica.

Our Lady of Piat is credited with many miracles.q

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