Photo edited in Canva, template by Ksuview
Our lives have been tested by different people. Health issues, Family ties as well as the never-ending Financial Problem. However, it is not an obstacle for us to keep our faith. They say in a family earnings God should have its part. The Philippine's history has been colonized by the Spaniards that has catholic practices and Cebu is not exempted from that. If we can, we will. Our family has been a devotee of visiting a Shrine ever since when I was still a child and we have been to 3 different Shine around here in the north. If we had spare money we would always plan to visit holy places. And if we're fortunate enough to afford to go to those far shrines unfortunately it saddens me that nowadays inflation is living with us. Hence, Every Shrine holds a significant value in the world of faith.
The shrine that my family has visited so far is the following.
- Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine - Bogo City, Cebu
- Holy Family Shrine Of Nazareth - Daanbantayan, Cebu
- Replica de Capelinha de Fatima, Portugal - San Remigio, Cebu
These shrines are all located in the Mountainous part of the mentioned places, well shrines are always placed in that type of area.
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine
Photo from Sugbo.ph
So in my childhood days, the first shrine I went to was the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine which is located at Lapaz, Bogo, City. This shrine was commonly known “Medal of the Immaculate Concepcion." That is blessed by the virgin marry. The Shrine has a total of a hundred steps. Which gives you an overlooking 360 view of the area. It was placed at the top of the hill.
Going to the place when I was still young if I can remember we rented a whole tricycle that can take us to the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine. The fare was not the expensive compared to this generation. We have also cooked food to bring such as adobo for lunch and hanging rice and soft drinks.
Upon arriving at the place they go two ways at that time: front and back. The back is where the vehicle can access. Entering the shrine, we used the back entrance. We also buy candles since there's a store hiding in the side of it, and we light them afterward. We have also offered our prayers and donations. They have a donation box at the front of the altar. We lit the candles and offered our prayers.
Afterward, we kept ourselves entertained as we admired the poetic view with photos and shared our perspectives about the place. Upon going home, we decided to experience their hundred-step stairs, and it was tiring and their legs were shaking.
Holy Family Shrine of Nazareth
Photo by yours truly
The second shrine I have been to is the Holy Family Shrine of Nazareth. My father has a motorcycle rider club at his work, which is called BSRC, and the shrine has become one of their destinations. After he experiences the place, he tells us that we should visit the worship place. A perfect timing that my teacher gave as a hint about the destination we have been to not so long ago. And I don't have any answers to the questions because I have been stuck in our house 24/7, so the more reason why he took us there. It was Sunday, and San Remigio to Daanbantayan was quite far away. Upon arriving at Kawit Public Market, we had to stop to buy food to eat there, and it was lechon manok, drinks, and we only brought our rice.
The place is far from the highway, and the roads aren't that good. It was bumpy, but the view when you were near the place was beautiful. As we arrived, we bought candles in the entrance plaza before going to the top. This shrine was founded by Rev. Fr. Onie Rosario for the blessings the Almighty has given to his family.
The stairs going to its peak have an extension of two hundred steps. was quite a journey to take. The landscape of the place is extended because it has two levels of points.
Upon arriving at the top, you are well welcomed by their chapel, and at the side of it is where you will light your candles that we bought for the ground as well as our prayers.
Seeing the view at the top of the shrine is relaxing. The exciting peak does not end here because you will step up the stairs once again, which will lead you to the giant cross as you will see the 14 stations of the cross.
My papa is the one who took this photo
Hence, when we got it, the weather wasn't that good since it was gloomy and did rain for a few minutes. We decided to eat our food, at the big cross, and admire the place. The chapel is carved out of the mountains.
Replica de Capelinha de Fatima, Portugal
Photo from attic-tours.net
Not long ago, after we visited the Holy Family Shrine of Nazareth, our family decided to visit my municipality's newly built shrine, which is called the Replica de Capelinha de Fatima, Portugal, located in the boundaries of Tacup and Lambusan San Remigio, Cebu. This holy place is where you can see the replica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the first-ever replica in Asia. The other replicas are located in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the United States. This devotional place of Lady Fatima was where she revealed herself to the three children. This is the shrine where the devotees witnessed the dancing sun as it was shown on national TV.
Upon going to the shrine
At the time we visited the place, the construction was still ongoing, hence the shrine was already open to devotees. When we got there, the road was not that great since it was still improving. When you are traveling with your family, knowing you will go to a worship place, the feeling is that somehow you are excited and at peace at the same time. The food we brought at that time was pizza and drinks. Upon riding our service, I can't count how many times I bumped my head because of the bumpy road. I'm glad that it doesn't hurt that much at all.
Along the way, you would see a close-up view of the mountains, where a pile of wood used for cooking is there.
When we arrive at the shrine, we immediately offer our prayer at the altar, where you can see the blessed virgin marry. We have also lit our candles. The quietness and holiness of the place are what you can hear and feel. We took photos, and we saw a constructed road in the mountain that we knew could take us to the top. We decided to hike the place and eat the food we had brought there. We laughed, took photos, and admired the view.
Photos taken during our visit.
Shrines are where you can reflect on the things going on in life, repent the sins, and be thankful for the goodness that comes from within. Through these experiences, we can keep our ties intact as we travel, laugh, and pray together. Thank you so much for reading my blogs, until next time.
I LOVE MY FAMILY
Adios, Hivers!