Going Places | Road Trip! Part 4 - Visita Iglesia Padre Pio Shrine

Part 4 of my Road Trip series is our final stopover on our way back to the Metro. We went to Santo Tomas Batangas, the home of Pambansang Dambana at Parokya ni Santo Padre Pio (The National Shrine and Parish of St. Padre Pio) or commonly known as Padre Pio Shrine.


Padre Pio became famous for exhibiting stigmata for most of his life, thereby generating much interest and controversy. He was both beatified (1999) and canonized (2002) by Pope Saint John Paul II.[2]Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Italian: Pio da Pietrelcina), O.F.M. Cap. (May 25, 1887 – September 23, 1968), was a friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic,[1] now venerated as a saint of the Catholic church. Born Francesco Forgione, he was given the name of Pius (Italian: Pio) when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. [1]


Padre Pio Shrine, is a parish church and pilgrimage site situated at Brgy. San Pedro, Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines. 







Inside the main church hangs a huge replica of the Glorious Cross based from the design used for the Archdiocese of Lipa during the Jubilee Year 2000. The cross at the crucifix, the bottom of the altar table and the lectern are made of drift wood to adapt with the design of the main church. At the back is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and its underneath is the Baptistery. [2]


Other structures built within the National Shrine include the Mother of Mercy Belfry, the St. John Mary Vianney Chapel of Reconciliation, the Sanctuary of the True Cross of Christ, the Holy Water Sanctuary, the parish rectory, office and religious store, the Fountain of Hope, the Stations of the Cross and recently, the Divine Mercy Sanctuary for Pilgrims.


Sto. Padre Pio Bukal ng Pag-Asa (St. Padre Pio Fountain of Hope)

To the left and the right side of the fountain we saw handkerchiefs, rosaries, and padlocks left by people. The items are supposed to be the prayers of the people who leave them, just like the Locks of Love idea from in Paris.






Designs of the domes inside the Sanctuary of the True Cross of Christ 
and the Holy Water Sanctuary



I couldn't take a picture of the Main Chapel as a whole but it had a very Filipino Style architechture. It is open air and looked like it was a big Nipa Hut. These were some of the statues that stood around the Main Chapel.


Inside the Sanctuary of the True Cross of Christ


This place reminded me of a similar shrine we have in Isabela - the Our lady of La Salette Shrine where there is also stations of the cross and people flock to it go there during the Holy Week here in the Philippines. 

We were not the only ones who had the idea of doing a Visita Iglesia early. The Padre Pio Shrine was a little bit crowded. Before we left there were even this convoy of about 8-10 passenger vans that arrived filled with people on Visita Iglesia. Since it is the summer season make sure to bring an umbrella and a water bottle when you go to the shrine.  Please don't forget to observe proper dress code when visiting.

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I am confident in saying our road trip, although tiring, was a success. We had the chance to relax our mind and spirit. I guess now I know why the people who travel do it, it's addicting. I want to do more travelling soon.



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