Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
www.ucanews.com

Diocese of Novaliches

Report An Error
Diocese of Novaliches
  • Facebook Share
  • Twitter Share

History

Date of Establishment: Dec. 7, 2002
Canonical Erection: Jan. 16, 2003
Established by: His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Dedicated to: Jesus, The Good Shepherd

Motto: "Adveniat Regnum Tuum" - Your Kingdom Come.

1. Dexter (right): The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Novaliches

The original settlement of Novaliches was established in 1854 when the 62nd governor-general Manuel Pavia y Lacy, Marquez de Novaliches, offered prisoners their liberty and their right of land settlement if they were to clear the wasteland in the area. When they accomplished this task, people from Polo and Morong migrated here to form what they called Hacienda Tala because the clearing of the wasteland came like a star from heaven.

The star thereby depicts this original settlement of the new Diocese. The Christmas star was specifically chosen by the clergy to signify that the diocese was born in the season when Jesus was also born. The light shining from the star represents what Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, noted with their establishment of the Sacred Heart Novitiate that Novaliches was pagus novae lucis or place of the new light.

In 1856, when the first Church was founded by the Augustinians, the parish was originally dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and later to Our Lady of Mercy. The symbols of the Blessed Sacrament, namely the Chalice and the Host, were also the symbols used in the original logo of the Quezon City North Ecclesiastical District. The original village of Novaliches in Spain was found to be situated near Valencia whose cathedral now holds the original chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

The most important treasure also found in the original village of Novaliches was the chalice encrusted with amethysts donated by Gen. Manuel Pavia to their Chapel of San Miguel as a token of gratitude for their support of Isabela II in the Carlista war in Spain, who awarded him the title, Marquez de Novaliches.

The light blue color background is symbolic of the La Mesa Dam reservoir, main source of water for the whole Metro Manila and also represents the Marian character surrounding the presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

2. Sinister (left): The Personal Coat of Arms of Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, DD

At Sinister chief blue, green islands, a golden Moro Vinta whose mats are surmounted by the Cross and Crescent, and whose sails are drawn from traditional Southern Mindanao Art, and above it is the emblem of Our Lady. Sinister chief is a visual adaptation of the title "Our Lady, Star of the Sea." The placid blue sea represents a fervent prayer of peace for the peoples of Mindanao symbolized by the Vinta. The Cross and the Crescent represents the major faith of southern Philippines: Christianity and Islam. The green islands, Zamboanga, the bishop's first Episcopal assignment. The emblem of Our Lady is derived from the seal of the Guadalupe Minor Seminary where the bishop spent his years of priestly training and where he was subsequently assigned.

At green base, sheaves of palay surmounted by a golden Cross made of bamboo. The green fields recall San Andres Bukid, the bishop's birth place. It also alludes to Green Meadows, where the bishop, as parish priest of Christ the King Church, received his Episcopal appointment. The use of gold for the cross and sheaves recall the royal colors of Christ. The sheaves of palay has other meanings, they allude the bishop's task of binding together the Christian community made strong by the Seven Sacraments, symbolized by the seven golden leaves, and animated by the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, who by being grain buried in the ground yielded abundant fruit. The sheaves also recall the parable of the sower where the Word, preached by one sent on mission yields thirty, sixty and a hundred fold.

Political

The area is under the city governments of Novaliches and Quezon City.

Transportation

Land travel throughout Metro Manila is usually by passenger jeepneys, tricycles, buses and taxi cabs. Terminals are located in malls and commercial centers (Nova Mall, Ever Gotesco, SM Fairview) to take commuters to various parts of Metro Manila and as far as San Jose del Monte and Norzagaray in Bulacan province to the north. Farther out to other provinces, buses (air-conditioned and regular) are the public modes of transport. In general, buses take the main roads, and jeepneys, the secondary roads.

Geography

The diocese has a total land area of 137.74 square kilometers. It comprises the northern part of Kalookan City and the part of Quezon City that lies to the north of the main road called Tandang Sora.

Economy

The diocesan territory is residential and highly commercial. Malls and commercial centers surround it. Light manufacturing and warehouse establishments; small to large-scale businesses such as computer shops, machinery and repair shops, variety stores, groceries, laundry shops, food vending, pawnshops, gyms, health and beauty salons and spas, public markets and department stores also abound. Many residents are employed as factory workers in manufacturing industries like food processing.

Telecommunication

Many homes have access to radio, cable and regular television networks. Like the rest of Metro Manila, Globe, Smart, Bayantel and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company provide internet and landline connections.

Education

Simple literacy is at 99 percent while functional literacy is at 94.6 percent in Metro Manila based on the 2003 data of the National Statistics Office, Demographic and Social Statistics Division.

Culture

Strong American influence led to present highly urbanized and Westernized state in the region. Filipino is the national language, yet English is the official language used in business and government and the medium of instruction in schools. Contemporary music is an easy mix of Filipino and Western elements. Native culture has generally been relegated to special commemorations like Philippine Independence Day and Linggo ng Wika (language week).

Help us improve the Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory

Asian Saints

Asian Pilgrimages

Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
UCA News
The Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory is the largest information database on the Church in Asia, brought to you by UCA News.
CONTACT US
Union des Nouvelles Catholiques Asiatiques (UCA News, UCAN)
31 Avenue de Ségur,
75007 Paris.
[email protected]