"Always Pray"
That's the only phrase I have every time I get troubled, overwhelmed, happy, sad, breathing, and living 😅.I am not the typical religious woman, I don't even go to church every Sunday but I always speak with god, Always. On the bus, while walking, working, etc. I speak with him every time cause I felt at ease and connected with him. My blog for today includes the churches I visited and the reason why I visit those churches.
CALERUEGA CHURCH
First, CALERUEGA CHURCH in Bgry. Caylaway, Batulao, 4231 Caleruega Rd, Nasugbu, Batangas Philippines.
Caleruega Church is also known as the Transfiguration Chapel. It is a beautiful church perched on top of the highest hill surrounded by panoramic breathtaking views of greenery. Its ideal location on top of the hill allows this church in Nasugbu, Batangas to reflect a highly spiritual and religious atmosphere. I visit this church on Jan 5 2022, I was surprised cause the church includes a forest park where you can enjoy the fresh air and nature. People can enjoy picnic after mass.
MONASTERIO DE TARLAC
Second in the list, MONASTERIO DE TARLAC in Barangay Lubigan, San José, Tarlac.The Monasterio de Tarlac is a Latin Rite Catholic monastery on top of Mount Resurrection, part of the Zambales Mountain Range on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is part of the Mount Resurrection Eco Park. I was mesmerized by how people built a church on top of a mountain. On how people take the materials up there. The roads going there are kind of difficult. It's like wall driving, it's really difficult and trekking. I went there on July 14 2021 with my ante Marichu's family.
The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag
The third spot, is The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Milo St, Manaoag, Pangasinan. The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, located on top of a hill in the town, has been canonically affiliated with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome since June 2011.
Yearly my ante marichu's family always visit this church. There family's patron saint is OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF MANAOAG. Luckily I got the chance to visit this church with them and witnessed the love and devotion of many people for mama mary. I am sorry I can't find the pictures I have when I visit the church last 2019.
The Virgen de la Regla National Shrine
Fourth, The Virgen de la Regla National Shrine in B.M Dimataga Street, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Cebu has always been known for the Santo Niño but there is another devotion that pilgrims visit through the years: Nuestra Señora De La Regla or Our Lady of the Rule. The name is believed to have originated from St. Augustine, who dedicated to her the rules he created for the members of his order to follow. The shrine and image of Virgen De La Regla is located in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu. I visited the Church last May 2022 .
Simala Parish Church
My fifth church is the Simala Parish Church in Barangay Simala, Natalio B. Bacalso S National Hwy, Sibonga, Cebu. The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine and commonly known as the Simala Shrine or the Simala Parish Church is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines. I visit Cebu Philippines to visit this church. I really want to visit Sto. Niño church but didn't have a chance to visit but I'll make sure to visit it once I go back to UBEC. The Our lady of Rule protected me while I stay in Cebu. I remember when I visit her there was a typhoon coming and I pray to her to make my stay in Cebu a memorable day and she did make it possible.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish Sulangan
6th Church is the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Sulangan in Eastern Samar PH, Real St, Guiuan, 6809.
The Sulangan Church is also known as The Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua. It is known to both the locals and pilgrims because of being miraculous. I visit this place secretly hehee.
I don't know I just felt I need to visit this church last October 2022. I have this urge to visit this church and pray and talk with god. I know it's kinda weird but I really felt the urge to visit St. Anthony de Padua. I also got the chance to explore Calicoan island there at Guiuan.
That's not the only church I visited. The closest to my heart is the church back home in my town at Dolores Pinabacdao Samar where Our lady of the miraculous medal is our patron saint. Where I developed this devotion, my faith, and my relationship with god. It may sound crazy but believe me all the wishes I asked from her, become reality. Amaze of how God always makes a way to be there with me.
Always Thankful to God
Every time I visit a church, chapel, or cathedral my main prayer is for the health of my Mother. I always pray to God to make her healthy and to give her long and happy life. I always pray to God to protect my family cause they are the reason for my existence. The reason why I keep fighting and moving to this difficult world is. The reason for my happiness and pain (I'm sorry I'm being dramatic hehe 😅😰)
I struggle lately cause I rushed my mother to ER. Her blood sugar increased and was not stable so I rushed her there to normalize her blood sugar.
I don't even have money in my pocket but I don't care I just need to save my mom and I know god always provides. He always does. He always makes miracles in any way. And as I expected he does provide for our bills and the good news my mom's sugar is stable now. That day reminds me of what happened 2 years ago with my late husband. He has a rheumatic heart disease or RHD, that's the time of covid by the way.
We don't have work, both of us. Our parents don't have to. Earth stops because of covid. It's difficult to go to the hospital, with transportation and all. Money is the biggest problem at that time and access but god always has its way of providing for us and helping us. He's always there for us. Just want to pray away like one text away friend. My late husband died not because there were no resources. He died cause God wants him to be with him in his Kingdom. Because of my faith in him, I am still here living and breathing, because of my faith, I can easily accept things caused I know he created my life this way. His in control of my life. So people out there struggling, please keep your faith. Trust God. Believe me, he listened to all our heart desires. He knows what we deserve. He will always be there for us ready to provide, protect, and love us. Life me sames unfair but God sees us all the same, His children.
To those people suffering now, I advise talking with god ask help from him. He will listen. Make it a hobby to talk with him every time you felt happy or sad, confused or amazed, overwhelmed, depressed, in short, every time, everywhere just talk with him in your mind and heart. He's always there.
That's It Guys for my undying Faith in God and my adventure in Visiting different Churches around the Country. Hoping you've learned A lot from my Blog today. See you around.
-Venus