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| The National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in the city of Sto. Tomas, Batangas (Image Source: Philippine News Agency) |
After a long closing period due to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in the city of Sto. Tomas in Batangas is now officially open to the public. And since the province remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) for the month of August amidst a more looming threat, local tourists and devotees will have no problem visiting the shrine physically. To those who want to know more about the church, here's what you need to know.
The National Shrine of Saint Padre Faura Pio situated in Brgy. San Pedro is an ideal destination for those who are seeking spiritual guidance and comfort. Known for its architectural design and stories behind the mysterious Saint, the church was declared a National Shrine in September 2015 which is the first in the province and CALABARZON. Its main church, the Jubilee of Mercy, is noted for housing the massive replica of the Jubilee Cross developed from the design utilized for the Archdiocese of Lipa during the Jubilee Year 2000. Prior to the pandemic, it was often filled with people attending mass gatherings scheduled every day. Aside from spiritual advice and comfort, miracles and healings are more particularly those that devotees praying from him Padre Pio who has a huge and strong following in the Philippines even after his canonization as a saint in June 2002.
The shrine is composed of different areas with consistent designs of driftwood, bamboo, indigenous materials, sawali, stones, and nipa leaves. Rev. Fr. Jojo Gonda is the influence of the church's design - from the salakot-shaped roof to the gazebo-style architecture. A no-door style was created to show that the shrine is open for anyone who wants to enter. The large scope of where it is situated offers peace of mind and greenery scenes with fresh air. It is also quiet, open and perfect for anyone who is in search for spiritual guidance. Aside from the main church, the structure also houses the Divine Mercy Sanctuary for Pilgrims which was the venue of the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy held on January 2017, Holy Water Sanctuary, Sanctuary of the Relics of Saint Padre Pio, Chapel of Lights, Mary Mother of Mercy Belfry and a souvenir shop among other amenities.
The National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio offers physical masses equipped with health and safety guidelines and restrictions as well as online masses for those who can't participate physically through its official Facebook page and YouTube channel on the following times:
* Monday-Friday - 7:00 am, 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm
* Saturday - 7:00 am, 9:00 am (Healing Mass), 12:00 noon, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm (Anticipated Mass)
* Sunday - 5:00 am, 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm
* Daily, 3:00 pm - Intensive Prayer For World Peace And Sanctification Of Ghe Clergy And For The End Of COVID-19 Pandemic
Those who can take part in the mass under new normal guidelines and restrictions shall be abided by the following etiquette released by the church management.
• Prepare an Altar also, put a lit candle on it to help set the stone. Dispose yourself properly before the beginning. Take 3 mindful breaths.
• Dress up properly even if you are just at home (change out of your pajamas or pambahay)
• Remove distraction and limit your consumption of news and social media and make sure what you’re paying attention to is verified.
• Pray the act of Spiritual Communion from the heart, dwell on what words mean.
• Pray the Oratio Imperata within the mass, if it is part or soon after if not part. Pray for our Mother Mary’s intercession and for our frontliners.
• Reflect on how God is teaching us to love “in this time of Corona or Covid-19″ and how we may have fallen short because of our own selfishness.
To get to the National Shrine, take either a DLTB or JAM Liner bus to Lucena from Manila. Before boarding the bus, inquire if it will travel through Santo Tomas. From Buendia and Cubao, fare ranges depending on the new cost. Tell the driver or conductor that you want to be dropped off in Barangay San Pedro. The National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is then reached via tricycle. It costs P40 to P50 to travel, even when riding solo or special. With these in mind, you should consider adding the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas in your travel checklist if you're in doubt and seeking peace and comfort.
