A pleasant good day to all my dear Hiver’s and WORLDMappin community! How are you all today? I hope all of you are having a good day and with happy hearts. I am Ronimarie from the Philippines and today let me share with you my first Visit in the southern part of Cebu. The place is known as SIMALA SHRINE but then after my visit i found out that the place proper name was “OUR lady of LINDOGON SHRINE” or Simala parish in Simala, Sibonga,Cebu.The Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration are the founder of this well known Religious shrine that is now a tourist attraction. This is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lindogon, Simala,Sibonga, Cebu.
My experience is worth the time and the money spent by this trip because for me this is a dream come true journey of visiting this Shrine since when I was a single it is my dream of visiting here. The place is located uphill from the mountain and even though the weather is sunny yet;the cold wind blows that eases my sweat.I was really amazed and mesmerized by the view and it feels so good to finally visit this Shrine because I am a Marian devotee.
I feel blessed beyond words because I was invited by my friend to join this trip, and upon hearing the word Simala I feel excited to join them so I can finally visit the place. My friend told me that we would depart at 5:30 in the morning because we would travel four hours if there was no traffic. So I wake up early at 4AM to prepare and cook rice and dishes to bring for breakfast and lunch.We ate our breakfast on the jeepney that we ride while we are travelling. That way we cannot consume too much of our time stopping by for breakfast. Safe and sound we arrived at 9 in the morning.We freshen up our faces from the windy jeepney trip.We went to the Shrine and fell in line for the KISS AND GREET of the Blessed Virgin MARY. We are lucky the line is not that long else we would start our line from the outside of the gate.The line here is a must if you want to come near or kiss and greet the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I am personally overwhelmed by the striking architecture that blends Gothic,Byzantine,and Romanesque styles that made and created this place.
Simala Shrine is a gorgeous and one of a kind Castle,they are still improving the structures and adding more features to its already impressive design to make it more beautiful.And make no mistakes about it-Simala is not a place exclusive for Catholics and Christians. I have seen lots of Buddhist and non-Catholic foreigners visit the place to witness its grandeur.
Dress code:
Women,ladies,girls– You are strictly not allowed to wear sleeveless,spaghetti,miniskirts,sleeveless dress,transparent pants,short blouses, tubes or sexy tops or provocative clothes inside the shrine.
Men- you are not allowed to wear shorts,sleeveless ,tattered pants.
Both men and women are not allowed to wear slippers. Only shoes and sandals can be worn. Remember this is a Sacred place,you are expected to dress and act accordingly. Above all no cigarettes and liquor and deadly weapons nor explosives can get inside the Shrine.
Ways to go to Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine in Simala Sibonga Cebu:
Rent a jeepney or Van or you can ride a taxi or Grab the trip takes two hours. Another way is to go to the south Bus terminal then ride a Ceres bus going to Simala. Their is a route inclusive only for Simala goers and it is 3 hours trip and that is one hundred and thirty pesos only.Then from the bus terminal you are going to ride a tricycle or motorcycle going up the hill for fifty pesos only and it would takes twenty minutes to reached the shrine. You can also enjoy the mountain view and the ocean view from the shrine.
While i am in line going up to kiss and greet the Blessed Virgin Mary i saw lots of stuff on the wall and it surprised me because i found out that all of this stuffs are from the people who Prayed and asked the intercession of THE blessed VIRGIN MARY.Through the intercession of Mama Mary they received what they pray to GOD. Testimonies and Answered Prayers for Healing,Passing the Board Exams,Getting Pregnant, and Successful livelihood or business etc.All this wheelchairs,walkers,rollators and Crutches are donated by those patients who was healed and able to walked miraculously.
Finally after two hours in line my companions and I finally get inside and almost there in front of Mama Mary’S Relics.The sacrifice of standing in line is worth it.My heart is filled with Joy because finally i am here already. I waited for so long to finally visit here and I THANK god for this blessing specially for all his blessing and of Good Health and financial that i was able to be here. Being in front of her Miraculous Image is so heartwarming. The feeling of being in front of her image makes me remember all those times that I turn into Her help. I know I am a sinner but I believe that GOD IS LOVE and that GOD is MERCIFUL. I have experienced so many times the help of MAMA Mary in my life.When we go out we want to light candles but suddenly they run out of candles due to the numbers of people visiting the Shrine. According to the Monks there are a lots of non Catholics that visited the shrine that after coming here they are converted to Catholic,Lots of lives were changed by the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession.
This photos are taken inside the shrine church.
My friend with her only son.
To my friend who invited me to join their trip, my heartfelt thanks to you and to all your companions who never let me feel alone on this trip,thank you so much for your friendly and nice attitude for having me in your group.
This place is worthy to come back soon in God's abundant blessings.An experience and story worth sharing for and remembered.
Thank you so much for reading up to the end.I hope you like my story and would also love to visit the Shrine. I wish you all a happy and successful day ahead of you all.Remember that life is so colorful and wonderful especially when you explore and see new beautiful places. Money can be earned but time cannot, go out and have some fun outside of your home. My name @ ronimarie your newbie inspired HIVER’S.
HAVE a blessed day Hiver’s. and WORLDmappin communuty
Note: All pictures are mine.
[//]:# (!worldmappin 9.97489 lat 123.61765 long d3scr)