It was last May 2023 when we visited the National Shrine of Padre Pio here at Sto. Batangas. This is one of the most visited churches for Catholics, especially devotees. There are many testimonials about answered prayers. A former co-worker was one of them. They even named their only son Pio after eleven years of waiting. The husband has been here couple of times, hoping that one day we will received the blessings that our heart desired most!
That is why we pursued what was planned during his vacation last month, even with a drizzled rain. Re-visit not to ask favor but as a thanksgiving.
We were supposed to attend the 10 a.m. mass, but since my sister-in-law was unfamiliar with the route, we were late.
Holy mass was almost over, leaving us with no choice but to wait for the following schedule. The waiting time is just an hour.
To make use of the time, we roamed around and noticed a few changes. Ah, a lot of answered prayers, maybe resulting in huge donations. The former small kiosk where you could buy candles was demolished.
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)I forgot to take a photo, but it's at the end of this Chapel of Lights.
Inside, you can buy novelty items, such as bracelets, rosaries, door handles, and even wooden saint statues and miniatures.
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)With too many religious items, I find it hard to choose which one to buy. What I wanted was something handy. Yes, I am Catholic, but displaying Saints at home is not my cup of tea. In the end, I got two rosaries and a door handle.
Speaking of the Chapel of Lights, before you had to buy candles, the color depended on the prayer intentions. Now, you can get one for free.
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)Just spare donations if you have an extra; no amount is required.
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)After lighting candles and prayers, we left and returned to the church.
No changes in Holy Water Sanctuary, by the way.
As the mass still hasn't started, I took the opportunity to write about my prayed intentions.
This was placed in the corner of the church, near the entrance.
I felt so blessed, finally writing a prayer not to ask a favor but rather for a thanksgiving.
Of course, I also offer it to a close friend outside of family, hoping that God will hear it and finally bless them.
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)I desired to have a family picture here, but sadly it was raining. Though it was only drizzled, we couldn't stay too long as our son might get sick. Also, in-laws are pretty traditional, and they were like. Lhes, you just gave me, you might get sick! Wear this cap, etc.
The photo at the left was taken last May 2023, which I posted here. How lovely it was that now, it's not only us but finally had my little family! (teary eye.)
Lead image was edited using Canva
Photos are mine
Footer credit to Sensiblecast.
Blessings come to those who believed.😌♥️.
Indeed!
😊
⋆ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴜᴛʜᴇᴀsᴛ ᴀsɪᴀɴ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ᴏɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ
⋆ sᴜʙsᴄʀɪʙᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ
⋆ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴠᴏᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʀᴀɪʟ
⋆ ᴅᴇʟᴇɢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟɪɴᴋs 25 ʜᴘ⇾50 ʜᴘ⇾100 ʜᴘ⇾500 ʜᴘ⇾1,000 ʜᴘ
Ive been there 2 years ago i want to go there again and visit that place