ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr

Lenten Pilgrimage Of Faith And Heritage In Taal And Nearby Towns In Batangas

Would be joining the Pilgrimage arranged by Green Faith Travels.

Registration is at 4AM at McDonald's in Greenbelt.  We first had breakfast before boarding our Pilgrimage Bus.  Our Pilgrimage Chaplain is Fr. Paul Marquez.


On the way, we prayed the Holy Rosary and A Pilgrim's Prayer.

Our first Church is the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay at Labac, Taal, Batangas.  We are hoping to be there before 8AM in order to attend the Concelebrated Mass with Rev. Fr. Paul J. Marquez, Rev. Fr. Alex Callada and Rev. Fr. Bon Cumagun, Shrine rector.


"Our Lady of Caysasay is a celebrated 16th-century image of the Immaculate Conception.  In the small barrio of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas, a fisherman Juan Maningcad found the little statue of the Blessed Virgin of the Immaculate Conception soaked in the water.  Instead of catching a fish with his net in a river nearby the sea, he picked it up and brought it home.  No one knew how the image got to the river, according to the old folks, the image was thrown by one of the Spaniards to pacify the ravages of the ocean during one of those expeditions and somehow the waves pushed it to the river, some believe it came from China and another opinion was that perhaps someone exploring the river accidentally dropped it."

We were also able to touch the image (called "Pahalikan").

Then, walked our way to the Leon C. Apacible Museum and Library, where we had our snack as well as a guided tour.


After which, walked our way to the Minor Basilica of St. Martin de Tours (Taal Basilica) at Taal, Batangas.  On the way, you see old houses.  Also, one of townsfolk gave us mabolo.  First time to eat one, tasted like a ripe apple.  LOL


"Designed by Spanish architect Luciano Oliver, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours stands 95 meters long and spans 45 meters.  It is the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia with a facade of lonic columns resembling that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.  The original ceiling painted by Giovanni Dibella, one of two Italian artists who painted the ceiling of San Agustin Church, used the trompe l'oeil style ("trick of the eye"), which gives a three-dimensional effect.  It is the only church in the country with a silver tabernacle.  The church was elevated to the dignity and honor of a Minor Basilica in 1948 and declared a national shrine in 1974."

It is also at the Basilica where we had our lunch.

Our third church is San Isidro Labrador at San Luis, Batangas.


"San Luis, named after San Luis Rey (St. Louis IX, the devout Catholic King of France), was created as a town at the same time as Lemery in 1862, out of Taal.  It reverted to being a barrio of Taal until February 2, 1918, when it became a municipality again.  All throughout, the Taal parish priest served the spiritual needs of the people of San Luis.

"The Parish of San Isidro Labrador was established on March 8, 1919.  The parish administration was given to the Oblates of St. Joseph, whose first parish priests in San Luis initiated construction of the church in the barrio of Calumpang.  In 1957, the administration of the parish was turned over to the diocesan priests."

Our next church is St. Roch at Lemery, Batangas.


"In the early 18th century, Lemery was just a small village called 'Punta' as a great number of traders go (Puntahan) bringing with them their products and merchandise.  The name Punta was changed to San Genaro in honor of the Spanish Governor-General, Jose Lemery.  It was a small barrio in Taal until it became a town in 1862.  Lemery parish was established as a separate parish in 1868 with St. Roch as their patron.

"The parish of St. Roch shares geographical, historical, and cultural proximity with the Parish of St.Martin de Tours in Taal.  Only a small bridge separates them, but the towns that take different characters, and yet their people share in the strength of their faith."

Our fifth church is the Holy Cross (Mahal na Poon ng Banal na Krus) at Lemery, Batangas.


"The Parish of the Holy Cross is one of the youngest parishes in the Archdiocese of Lipa.  It was established on September 4, 2010, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross as a result of the archidiocese's centennial celebration.  Its first parish priest is Fr. Hermogenes R. Rodelas.

"The parishioners venerate their Holy Cross and believe it to be miraculous.  The townsfolk had tried to make a sled from a large piece of wood but could not.  They then made a cross, and it prevented floodwaters from entering the town.  Today the people say that various petitions have been granted to those who have sought the intercession of their Holy Cross.

"It is said that there was a small chapel of the Holy Cross even before the eruption of Taal Volcano in 1911 and that devotees prayed and offered flowers here."

Our next stop is St. Raphael The Archangel at Calaca, Batangas.


"Calaca, which was the midpoint of the ancient communities of Balayan and Taal, became an independent parish in 1836, around the same time as the establishment of the town.  The patron saint chose  was St. Raphael the Archangel, whose image was enshrined in the first church made of bamboo and nipa palm.

"The stone church build on October 24, 1861 had survived the wars and earthquakes of the succeeding years.  Until recently, this magnificent structure is one of the best-preserved churches in the province, including its interiors.

"On September 27, 1965 Taal volcanic eruption, the roof of the houses in Calaca were all covered with ashes, sands and stones enough for the structure to collapse but to the town folks' surprise, their church was spared.  The church roof was clean and no volcanic ash falls were seen.  This unexplainable event was attributed through St. Raphael's powerful intercession."

We were also able to visit the parish's Marian Garden and the parish's Museum.


Our last and seventh church is the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face at Sta. Teresita, Batangas.


"Fr. Vicente Catapang started to establish the parish in 1943 known as Sambat with the first chapel dedicated to Santa Teresita del Nino Jesus.  On December 29, 1961, Sambat became a municipality, and was renamed Santa Teresita.

"On February 21-22, 2000, the Pilgrim Relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, first visited the parish. Archbishoop Ramon Aguelles declared the parish church the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of Child Jesus and the Holy Face on January 2, 2007.  The second and third visits of the Pilgrim Relics took place on February 10-11, 2008 and February 4-6, 2013, respectively."

posted by ~GFA~ @ 3/29/2014 07:25:00 PM