Our places and towns are made of culture, practices, and tradition, which shape our character and attitude toward believing in something. These cultures have influenced us in believing in miracles, told through anecdotes, history, and written texts. The only thing we need to do to experience a miracle is to find the right place where it happens, and it is only through faith that one can see it.
If you ask the people of Cebu where miracles happen, Simala Shrine could be one of their answers, rooted in belief and shared experiences. Simala Shrine is located specifically in Upper Lindogon, Barangay Lindogon, Sibonga, Cebu. It is known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, a holy site and majestic castle-like structure in the hills of Lindogon.
The history of Simala Shrine can be traced back to the late 1990s when Marian Monks decided to build a quiet place for prayer and Marian devotion. The Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration, who resided in the town of Lindogon, built the monastery in the said town. At first, this shrine was merely for prayer and devotion, occupied mostly by the local folks of Lindogon, without any recognition from outside towns or regions. Not until a dengue outbreak struck the town of Lindogon did it gain attention from visitors across the country, after a local folk reported that the image of the Virgin Mary was seen shedding tears inside the shrine.
At that time, locals reported how the image of the Virgin Mary healed people from dengue and created miracles in the whole town, replenishing the bad spirit that had taken over them. From then on, the once simple and unknown shrine attracted many people, and the destination was flocked by devotees who asked for a miracle to heal their illness and seek blessings from the Virgin Mary. In the present, most of those who visit the shrine are people who are ill, board takers, and graduating students. In fact, the reason why we decided to visit here was because my aunt took a licensed professional teacher exam a week after our visit, to ask for a miracle and help to pass it. The shrine, built as a humble chapel, gradually expanded into the grand Marian shrine known today.
There is no entrance fee for this shrine, even after its widespread recognition. For your information, the shrine accepts but does not demand donations from devotees to help the shrine operate and expand to accommodate more visitors. From its first reconstruction, the shrine was dressed with Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, which we can still see today, with long holy terraces, respected altars, bridges, and corners.
Devotees ask for miracles in different ways. For instance, inside the shrine, everyone can see letters written by those who visited and experienced miracles, crutches left by devotees, lighting candles, walking to terraces or the holy bridge, offering flowers, burning camphor, and panata (or personal prayer).
During special days, the shrine is dressed with vibrant decorations and touches of ornaments, solemn assemblies like candle lighting for remembrance of the dead, and long processions. Simala Shrine not only serves as a place for pilgrimage and blessings but also as a safe place for acknowledging the culture and practices of the town of Lindogon.
The shrine offers panoramic views of the hills, which can be seen directly from the prayer terraces and bridges built in the shrine, creating a peaceful and devotional environment for personal reflection and the establishment of faith. When we were there, I saw devotees leave personal tokens or fragments in appropriate corners, such as by statues and altars. From rosaries to handwritten letters, devotees feel the strength of their faith and belief that miracles are real and can happen through their honest prayers. We did the same thing as them, and later on, a miracle did happen. The shrine’s exterior and interior are perfectly decorated with carvings and Gothic-style spires for these faithful practices and are appropriate for private prayers in its hidden quiet corners.
I can still remember how Simala Shrine feels like our home even with many people that were a complete stranger to me. I guess it was just a divine intervention to let us all feel the light and hopeful energy across corners of the shrine. I did offer my prayer for my sister even if I knew she already did. I asked for a miracle or a little help because passing the exam will give us a new version of life that is more comfortable and helpful to the people around us.
The travel to Simala is amazing and easy, considering the views you can encounter along the road. From Cebu City, travelers can take a bus or van south, then a tricycle or habal-habal up the hill where the church is located. Although the entrance is free, devotees are encouraged to be respectful of the other devotees of the shrine by following a formal dress code, prohibiting sleeveless and informal or revealing clothes to maintain harmony and dignity in the shrine. It was Wednesday morning when we visited the shrine, and I learned that weekdays are more flexible and comfortable than weekends, when visitors flock, especially during feast days like Holy Week and the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The shrine also received complaints about being commercialized or being known as a tourist and business site aside from pilgrimage. Amidst that concern, Simala Shrine is still respected and acknowledged as a major symbol of faith in the whole island of Cebu.
Our visit to Simala Shrine was a gift and an opportunity to strengthen our faith and devote our time to the Virgin Mary and the Almighty. We believe in miracles; that’s why we tried to search for them and asked for them in the shrine. After months, my sister, who walked in at that time as a graduating college student, walked into the shrine again as a licensed professional teacher, visiting the shrine once more to show her gratitude and offer this success to the Divine. Miracle did happen, and from then on, my faith strengthened and deepened. I learned that faith grows stronger with understanding and practice. Belief turns hope into a sacred reality. It reminded me that miracles are not just stories or legends in the books, they are lived experiences and a product of faith I will carry with me forever.
