Oh wow I never thought I'd get to this destination ever in my entire life. Haha. Of course I kinda planned it a bit but not really. My commute went so smoothly in part because of improved transportation! I really appreciate traveling by light rail transit (LRT)!
All thanks to ASEAN Hive community, I got inspired to join the theme "Let's Go For A Walk". So here we go!
Welcome to the Parañaque Cathedral!
"The Plan"
The Philippines is a Catholic nation. We have so many churches all over the place. I love it! Being a cradle Catholic in my country is something I took for granted until 2023! Ah the lost time. But anyway it's all good despite being "late" in returning to God's flock. Since my spiritual renewal (part 1 & part 2) I've been all fired up to do almost anything to grow closer and closer to the Lord!
Fortunately 2025 is a Jubilee Year. This is why I've chosen some designated Jubilee churches to visit within Metro Manila. Why? Because we can get two indulgences in a day baby! Yeah! 💪❤️ (FYI: Double Indulgences: Gotta Catch 'Em All This Jubilee Year 2025!)
I don't really have much of a plan except to gain the 2 indulgences whenever I can. Last month I was only able to go to 3 Jubilee churches. This month am not sure how many I can go to. Haha.
The first church I sort of planned to visit this February is where Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso (Our Lady of Good Success) is enshrined. And that's located in another city far from where I live.
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Quezon City is in the North of Metro Manila (National Capital Region) while Parañaque City is way down South and yet I decided to visit the shrine. Why? Because I found out about her apparitions in Quito, Ecuador. No the image that's in the church is not the same one that appeared to a mystic nun. However they have the same name. All the various Marian titles is just one Mama Mary anyway so I decided to check it out. ☺️
The Trip to the Jubilee Church
I checked Google Maps to know how to get there. And I'm so happy to learn there's already a train station near it! Hurray!
So on February 1st I finished praying the novena to Our Lady of Good Success. Her feast day (the one from Quito) is on February 2 that's why it's appropriate to participate in the mass at that church on the day itself. So off I went after I ate a late lunch.
It was already past 5 pm when I started walking to the nearest LRT station for me to get there. I was wondering if I could make it to the 6:30 pm mass because it's so far away! If ever I didn't make it I would just visit and pray the Jubilee prayers maybe. 😅
I rode the LRT-2 line first. It was a smooth ride until the last station. Here's a photo I randomly took inside the train. 😁
Had to get to an LRT-1 station next by walking through the long overpass. That next train ride was also fine and we eventually reached the Ninoy Aquino Avenue station. This is the one nearest to the church. Well hey it's my first time ever getting to this part of the metro. 😆
No time for much sightseeing though because I had to find the shrine real quick after I got off the train. It was already dark outside too.
After I got out of the beep card thingy exit I asked two train personnel for the way to Parañaque Cathedral but they had no idea! 😱 Oh no! Why oh why?! So down the station I went. First thing I saw on the road was a jeepney waiting for passengers so I asked the driver for directions to the church. He said he doesn't know about it too! Whaaat?!
Ok I didn't panic despite the time pressure. I decided to check the map again to see how I could get there.
Google Maps
Apparently I was on the wrong side of the street so I crossed on a nearby pedestrian lane. On that side of the road I asked another jeepney driver when they stopped to pick up passengers. That's how I learned there's a way to the church somewhere out there! Hurray!
Quick, quick go to the wet market! I had to walk fast you know. I didn't know where it was but the driver pointed straight ahead so I went that way. Then I saw a woman carrying a plastic of vegetables, well hey I asked for directions from her too! But she just said to walk on further.
Originally I assumed the marketplace was along the highway. But then I saw a side road that inclined downward. I somehow sensed I should take that route so I did! Far ahead I could see the semblance of shops and such so I determined I was on the right path! Thank you Lord!
So anyway I continued to walk until I was in the middle of it all! At least it felt like it. Don't have any photos of the place though because you know, it was already way past 6 pm! Oh my goodness. I hoped that I would make it in time.
I asked a vendor and he told me the best way to get to church. Hurray! I followed the road leading to Quirino Avenue. Once I was at the highway I asked a street vendor where the church was. And then she said to just walk a bit and then I heard the church bell ring!!! HALLELUJAH! It was 6:28 pm and I was just in time! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT and yet it was happening. 😂
Of course I ran all the way to the entrance gate and then voila! Hello Parañaque Cathedral! 😍 My first Jubilee Church of the month! Woohooo!
Apparently this is a side door. 😆
Finally reached my destination after all that brisk walking! 😆 Thank you Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso! You are really one who makes petitions successful! Haha.
Say Hello to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Success
Well hey look! Haha, first time I ever laid eyes in there and thought the place was fine. Not too fancy or whatever but it has aircon! Whew. And looking at the altar I could see Mama Mary high up there! Oh boy. Here's a blurred photo as I took it while walking to a vacant part near the front pews. 😅
And of course since it was already 6:30 pm, the mass started. The priest was at the back part of the church though because it was Candlemas! February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple so it is a day when priests bless candles. 🕯❤️
I already had my candles blessed at the first church I went to that day so I didn't join anymore. Hehe. Anyway I didn't take any photos despite all the candles being lighted all around me.
Here are more photos of the church instead! Inside and out!
After the mass I took a photo before they all went away. hehe.
The view from the side edge of the altar.
I also took photos of the other saint images there. Here's St. Andrew and I am not familiar with the ones at the right side. Haha. I just snapped a photo for show.
Up there is the enshrined image of Mama Mary
And did you know, this is the Marian image for the February 2 feast day.
Outside detail: the bell tower and a stained glass window.
The Sunday mass was packed and people were quite active and lively! Wow. It seemed to me that everybody was participating. Why? Because there's no announcer/lector saying the responses at mass. 😂 Everything we had to say or sing was on the big screens! Hah! I hope all churches would do the same so everyone would participate at each mass.
A Blessed Sunday Indeed!
And that was it! After the mass and getting the blessing from the priest it was over! ❤️ Only God knows if I gained two plenary indulgences for the souls in purgatory. Haha. Am not perfect but at least I try my best to meet all the things to do to gain it.
Before I left I had my Pilgrim's Passport signed! And I took some more photos! I even visited the Adoration Chapel. 😍
The adoration chapel.
Figures of 12 apostles and other saints are all around outside the church.
After taking some last photos well I walked all the way back to the train station. 😁 Snapped a quick photo of the train as it left while I was walking towards it. And of course I went home feeling accomplished. 😏 Ah what a day! I wasn't all tired at all because the Holy Eucharist is my source of vitality! (I'll write about that in another post.)
How about you? Have you started getting your first double plenary indulgence yet? What do you think about this Christian activity? Feel free to share in the comments.
