National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas Batangas: Pray, Hope and Don't Worry
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Whenever I feel lost or I have a lot of worries especially when I feel thankful for all the wonderful things happening in my life, I always go to Padre Pio Church at Libis, Quezon City. It's like a second home to me, going there makes me feel at ease, it's as if Padre Pio is really there welcoming everyone.
Updated photo (Taken last February 21, 2017)
Thankfully, I finally got the chance to visit National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio located at San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. It was my second time at the shrine. My first time was last 2011 and it doesn't look like this at that time.
Thankfully, I finally got the chance to visit National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio located at San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. It was my second time at the shrine. My first time was last 2011 and it doesn't look like this at that time.
The shrine was initially established as a parish in San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, Batangas in 2003 by Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales with Fr. Dale Anthony Barretto-Ko as its first parish priest. The following year, residents of the area Ernesto and Adelaida Gonzaga donated 1.6 hectares of land where the church now stands. In 2008, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles declared the existing church structure, made from bamboo and nipa, as the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
When Fr. Jojo was appointed as the parish priest in 2009, the construction of the main church began. In the succeeding years, adjacent lots were acquired to make the total land area 4.1 hectares where the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Chapel of the Saints, the belfry, the Parish Rectory, the Sanctuary of the True Cross of Christ, the St. John Marie Vianney Chapel of Reconciliation among other structures were erected.
Check out the Mass Schedule if ever you're heading to Padre Pio Shrine soon.
You will see this phrase, "Pray, Hope and Don't Worry" of Saint Padre Pio everywhere at the National Shrine which will give you hope and faith even more.
This is the top side view of the Church which actually looks like a big hat or salakot. In appearance, the church is one big salakot. Even the other structures around the church bear salakot in their roofs. Salakot is used by farmers and fishermen around the Philippines. It symbolizes God’s protection on His children. Filipiniana design was the basis of Batangueño architect Julius Pio Raña to build the church. Engineers Jaime Cancio and Willie Carpio helped in turning Fr. Jojo’s design ideas into reality. Father Jojo is the Parish Priest and Rector of the National Shrine.
Updated! Taken during February 21, 2017. On my third visit, there are more seats outside the Church which can accommodate more people come Holy Week.
Just last January 18, 2017, The 4th World Apostolic Congress happened at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio. The Wacom 4 is a gathering of more than 3,000 delegates from Jan. 16 to 20, which aims to accelerate the culture of mercy in the Catholic Church and all over the world.
Inside this Holy Tower are Saint Padre Pio's portraits from his childhood and the map
of the whole shrine.
Below is the Chapel of the Living Water. The devotees come here to be blessed by the holy water. This water is said to be miraculous which is why devotees who go here can bring their own bottle so that they can get their own water.
Pots that are made of clay are also filled with Holy Water, it can be found in every corner of the chapel which allows everyone to bring their own holy water with them, some even drink it as well.
Updated! You can proceed to the Holy Water Sanctuary for the miraculous Holy Water and you can still bring your own bottle if you want to bring home some water. This is located at the back of the church.
Beside the Chapel of Living Water is the Wood of the Most Sacred Cross Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Sactuary where another relic can be found.
There's also a Station of the Cross at the back of the Church.
You can also lock your prayers at the St. Padre Pio Fountain of Hope. You can buy a locket at the store nearby or you can also bring your own. Some tie their own handkerchief as well.
As for me, I tied my very own handkerchief and prayed for the safety and good health of me and my family.
Just beside the St. Padre Pio Fountain of Hope you can find a life size rosary.
You will pass by the Candle station when you're heading to the Station of the Cross
Updated! You can now find the Candle Station just in front of the St. Padre Pio
Fountain of Hope.
Fountain of Hope.
You can also buy food and other memorabilia, this is just near The Mother of Mercy Belfry. The Holy Tower. There's a lot of Comfort room in the vicinity which is why you don't have to worry if you feel the need to go to the CR.
You can find Saint Padre Pio almost everywhere around the Shrine.
Let's make our visit at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio a serene one, if you're going to bring your whole family, make sure to tell your kids not to run around and make noises as well. Wear a suitable clothes since you're going to a sacred place not the beach.
How to get to National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio:
National Shrine of Padre Pio
Brgy. San Pedro,
Sto. Tomas Batangas
(043) 455 0984
(043) 701 0018
padrepioshrine@yahoo.com
From CUBAO:
If you are coming from Cubao area or LRT-Gil Puyat station, board a bus heading to Lucena City, Quezon. Tell the conductor to stop the bus at the corner of Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas Batangas where there is a small road going to the shrine of Padre Pio. At this corner, tricycles are available on the left side near the 7-Eleven Store.
From LIPA City, BATANGAS:
Ride a jeep or bus going to Tanauan then drop off at Walter Mart. There's a tricycle terminal there then tell the driver to drop you off at Padre Pio church. (Fare Php 100)
From Cavite:
Ride a jeep going to Pala Pala then drop off at Robinsons then ride a jeep going to Tanauan, drop off at Walter Mart then ride a tricycle going to National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio.
From LIPA City, BATANGAS:
Ride a jeep or bus going to Tanauan then drop off at Walter Mart. There's a tricycle terminal there then tell the driver to drop you off at Padre Pio church. (Fare Php 100)
From Cavite:
Ride a jeep going to Pala Pala then drop off at Robinsons then ride a jeep going to Tanauan, drop off at Walter Mart then ride a tricycle going to National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio.
Private Vehicle:
If you have private cars coming from Manila, take the South Super Highway and proceed via SCTEX. Take the Lipa-Talisay exit and proceed turning right. You will be guided by roadsigns.
If you have any more recommendations on how to get to the National Shrine just post it to the comments section. Thank you!
Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. ~Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
Visit Saint Padre Pio Church in Libis:
6 comments
Private Vehicle:
ReplyDeleteIf you have private cars coming from Manila, take the South Super Highway and proceed via SCTEX.
SCTEX should be Star Tollway.
How can we get to Saint Padre pio church if we r coming from district mall imus or sm molino??
ReplyDeletePunta kayo sa Robinsons Palapala, tapos sumakay kaya sa van na biyaheng CALAMBA, sabihin nyo sa driver pakibaba sa TURBINA. Then from Turbina, sakay kayo ng bus signboard ay LUCENA sabihin nyo sa conductor pakibaba sa Padre Pio
DeleteHow about if I came from robinson Lipa?
ReplyDeleteWhat bus to ride from cubao to padre pio batangas?
ReplyDeleteKahit anung bus basta may signboard na LUCENA dadaan doon
Delete