Hey lovely souls,

In January 2024, the then St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay, Rizal was declared by Pope Francis as a Minor Basilica—the first minor basilica in the province. The Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist is under supervision of the Diocese of Antipolo.

Through my small corner of the internet, I hope to have piqued your curiosity about the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist—a gem in my hometown of Taytay, in the province of Rizal. It’s a place that the world deserves to know about, but most especially the people of Taytay. Maraming Salamat po, and happy reading!

During the Holy Week, I had the opportunity to interview Fr. France Baasis, Parochial Vicar of the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist in Taytay, Rizal. He also serves as the Social Communications and Mass Media Director for the Diocese of Antipolo. For those unfamiliar, a Parochial Vicar assists the Parish Priest; in this case, Fr. Pedrito Noel Rabonza III serves as the parish priest of the Minor Basilica.

Firstly, I’m grateful to Fr. France for his willingness to share this gift to the world, especially during Holy Week when everyone was busy preparing for Church activities. Secondly, I appreciate the friendly staff of the Minor Basilica, who are always accommodating. Lastly, I’m thankful to the people who have believed in my quest to share this story. I also thank the Lord for providing me with the resources and Angels to continue doing what I do best – storytelling.

Returning to my initial point, covering the story of the Minor Basilica holds a special place in my heart as it is located in my hometown. This church has been the backdrop for numerous significant events in my personal life, from celebrations of life to moments of sorrow. It’s important to note that there may be cultural differences and nuances in this story.

According to Fr. France, the Parish of St. John the Baptist, the previous name of the Minor Basilica of St. John the Baptist, played a significant role in the lives of the Spanish Friars. “Madaming Spanish Friars ang nag-aral ng Tagalog dito,” Many Spanish Friars studied Tagalog here, he says. Antipolo and Taytay were significant in the evangelization of the Philippines as this is where the Spanish Friars studied Tagalog in order to connect with the Filipino people.

Taytay had the first stone church constructed outside of Intramuros. But prior to the current location and structure of the Minor Basilica, there was an older stone church built prior. However, it is still a mystery where the exact location of the first stone church is. One thing’s for sure that it was constructed near the river in an area called Visita de Santa. Fr. France shared that the rivers were the primary transportation of the Friars during this time and due to flooding, they had to relocate. The stone church then was relocated  to San Jose Del Monte, which translated to St. Joseph of the Mountain. 

The present location of the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist is elevated from the rest of Taytay. Growing up, my family fondly called the church “itaas,” or “up” or “above” in English. In this case, it refers to the higher elevation of the church.

But what constitutes a Minor Basilica? I asked. 

A Basilica is a type of church building that holds particular importance in the Catholic Church. It typically has architectural features such as a large central nave, side aisles, and a raised platform for the clergy. Basilicas are often designated by the Pope due to their historical, architectural, or religious significance. Basilicas have two kinds: Major and Minor. There are only four Major Basilicas in the world, namely St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, all located in Rome. 

Whereas, Minor Basilicas are abundant around the world. They are recognized for their historical, architectural, and liturgical significance, serving as places of worship and pilgrimage. While they do not have the same ceremonial privileges as Major Basilicas, they still hold a revered status within the Catholic Church. 

Beautiful but not in vain.

An interesting fact that Fr. France shares that the Vatican, or Rome as we sometimes refer to it, has the authority to revoke the designation of a minor basilica if negligence in its management is proven. He encourages people to visit the church even in the absence of catechists. For instance, the stained glass windows inside the church tell the story of the life of St. John the Baptist on one side and the story of the Passion on the other.

I would also like to emphasize the joy I experienced in embarking on rediscovering the culture and shared heritage of my town. 

My takeaways are: The structure itself represents the physical manifestation of the house of God, encouraging us to pray and commune with Him. It serves as both a physical and spiritual fortress for solitude and prayer. As Fr. France said, “Maganda, but not in vain.” The aesthetics and architecture of the church are truly beautiful, reminiscent of European churches, and encourage pilgrims to visit and pray. 

 When translated, this beauty signifies that Christ is waiting for us to come home, as if saying, “There’s beauty in walking with me. Don’t be afraid,” with St. John the Baptist always pointing up, toward Jesus.

A great reminder is that it’s always a good idea to ask questions. What I appreciated about my conversation with Fr. France is his willingness to answer questions and elaborate on his answers. Had I not asked Fr. France, if I could interview him, I would not be writing this story.

God placed our brains on top of our heads for a reason. He wants us to ask questions and use the intelligence He bestowed upon us, but, of course, with compassion and love. 

A key takeaway from this experience was recognizing the significance of community in preserving and nurturing the love for shared faith and heritage, ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations. In alignment with this, embracing intelligence, the love of God extends beyond self-interest; loving God entails loving others. 

By actively maintaining and sharing this gift with the world, we contribute not only to the dissemination of faith but also to the preservation and celebration of culture and heritage. Fr. France stressed the significance of dealing with problems early on, while they’re still small, exemplified by Fr. Noel. 

Caring for the Basilica certainly comes with responsibilities but when we turn our gaze to Christ, the cross doesn’t feel heavy after all. 

So, What’s next?

Please await for a solemn declaration from the Vatican where a decree from the Pope will be read. Everyone is encouraged and invited to join. 

Before I bid, Adieu, here’s a video message from Fr. France, I feel like this question is timely especially for the young ones seeking to come home to the Lord but do not know where to begin. 

Ask questions; God is waiting for us. 

From a faithful’s perspective, this reminds me that God is always present, waiting for us, and in this special story, He is waiting for us to come home.

I hope you all enjoyed this story and will continue to support me and my adventures. I truly enjoyed this experience. Big THANKS to you, my dear reader for making it this far. 

Leaving you to ponder upon, what makes your hometown unique? 

Stay curious.

All the best,

Aine