A visit or pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina or Pambansang Dambana at Parokya ni Santo Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas is incomplete whenever a group travel to the famed town.

National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio signage

The tour was arranged by Jotun ( Philippines)and United Architects of the Philippines ( UAP Makati chapter) as part of the cultural, heritage, environmental architectural tour of the town. This is my second time to visit this shrine.

History

The property sits on a 1.6-hectare agricultural land in Barangay San Pedro which is almost a kilometer away from Maharlika Highway, Santo Tomas, Batangas was donated the generous couple Mr. Ernesto and Adelaida Gonzaga to the Archdiocese of Lipa, where a new and larger church would be built. Dr. Isabel Malvar-Villegas donated a 200-square meter parcel of land that would be used as a right of way from the barangay road leading to the site.

Mary Mother of Mercy belfry

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), on their semi-annual Plenary Assembly in 2015, unanimously approved the elevation of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Padre Pio into a national shrine.

welcome arch

We left Jotun Paint Plant at past 2:30 pm, in three vans. The group arrived past 3:00 pm at the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio.

National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio

There were not so many pilgrims when the group arrived at the shrine and was escorted to a private parking area ( parking fees is Php 30).

Schedule of Mass and Healing Service

commercial stalls

Saint Padre Pio half size statues for sale and healing oil

Saint Padre Pio statues made from fiber glass, fiber resins

There were several stalls which sells Saint Padre Pio statues in different sizes. Small one cost Php 150 each while larger one sells between Php 400 to Php 500.

ambulant vendor

An ambulant vendor sells candles, rosaries and sampaguita garland

rosaries, beads, bracelets and key chains for sale

Saint Padre Pio statue with donation box- right side is the office and religious store

Saint John Marie Vianney chapel



dedication marker

Most of the chapels and main church architecture was inspired by salakot ( native hat ) Using steel, bamboos, wood, adobe stones, stones, sasa (Nypa fruticans ) or nipa leaves, sawali panels /woven bamboo strips and cement.

man-made forest

jackfruits

The rector and parish priest Joselin C. Gonda envisioned this concept for the main church, to have a place of worship and prayer that is distinctly Filipiniana, eco-friendly and adapted to the tropical climate of the site surrounded by green environment.

Asplenium nidus / Pakpak lawin or Bird’s nest fern adorn trees

interiors

devotees

main altar

There were driftwood, bamboo panels and stones which are some of the materials used in the lectern, altar and seats. Ornamental potted plants like variegated dracena, bromeliads were used as live floral arrangements.

San Padre de Pio relic with love offering



Santo Niño with petition or love offering



San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila

life-size statues of religious saints

wooden benches

Divine Mercy Sanctuary for Pilgrims

There was an ongoing free religious concert at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary for Pilgrims.

main entrance

The 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in the Philippines held on January 18, 2017 attended by thousands of participants and pilgrims from all over the country and other parts of the world was held at this chapel.

interior

Chapel of the Saints and Baptistry

Chapel of the Saints and Baptistry is located at the back of the main church. There are several improvements on the compound within the past few years. The relics were given by Ermelindo di Capua, OFMCap, the only surviving Italian Capuchin priest in 2013. Few years before he died.

chapel

The chapel is the place where baptism is held. One can also pray silently in this area.

different religious statues

religious statues

Saint Padre Pio painting and other religious statues

There were different kinds of religious statues within the chapel. Some were donated by devotees or parishes. Materials range from hard wood, soft wood, eskayola ( plaster of paris), fiber resin materials.

Relic of the Holy Cross

relic

devotees

wooden processional urna

Santo Padre Pio Bukal ng Pag-Asa / Saint Padre Pio Fountain of Hope

handkerchiefs, rosaries, prayer beads, padlocks are tied at the fence made from wire mesh

votive candles, padlocak and bottle of holy water can be purchase at this store

red and white candles for sale

Holy Water Sanctuary

Holy Water Sanctuary is another place to visit, pilgrims can throw coins at the fountain area. Water is not potable.

pilgrims

chapel of saint padre pio chapel of lights

One can light candles in one of these mini chapels located within the ground.

station of cross

The stations of the cross are neatly landscaped with tropical ornamental plants and ferns.

Platycerium coronarium

The area had several pocket gardens with manicured lawns and mini man-made forest.

San Padre Pio rectory

vicinity map

There is a useful guide for those first time visitors and pilgrims at the shrine.

walkway with chapel of the holy cross and belfry

There is a gentle sloping walkway going down to the man-made forest area. There are a lot of flowering plants, shrubs, trees, orchids and ferns within the property.

orchids attached on driftwood

lower portion of the belfry

local delicacies

religious and souvenir stores

Saint Padre Pio relics

Saint Padre Pio relics

UAP Makati chapter

The group had a meaningful, solemn pilgrimage at the shrine. We left the shrine at around past 4:00 pm, with some participants buying some native kakanins and souvenir items. One can easily make this a part of the holy week retreat.

One can commute via several bus companies which ply the route going to Batangas province. One must leave early in Metro Manila and travel time take at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours going to the shrine.