Pilgrims from all over the Philippines visit the Miraculous Monastery of the Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration located in Simala, Sibonga, Cebu Philippines. It is where you can find the crying and skin color-changing Mama Mary statue. *Chills.
We were supposed to go to Bohol on this day but my 93 year old Nanay and Canadian Titas want to visit the miraculous mama Mary in Simala.
I have deep respect for religious people and their beliefs. I was also interested to see the place after hearing about it for the first time. Road trip!
Warning: During religious peak season, prepare for a very long line. You are warned.
Destination: Sibonga Cebu
When: January 11, 2010
Photo Album: http://sharpangel.multiply.com/photos/album/138
All photos from Iphone 3Gs.
Reaching monastery is a 1 and a half hour private drive from Cebu city to the municipality of Sibonga. Sorry but I need to say this, George is one hell of a driver. Wohoo! Look at Loida below praying with speeds of 120kph overtaking trucks in a 2 lane rural highway… Peace Loida! π
Asking around found out that a public bus trip would take you 2 and a half hour that costs 90Php.
From Cebu City, go to South Bus Terminal (Near E-mall) and ride a Ceres Bus going to Sibonga. Ask the conductor to drop you in the Sibonga bus stop. The Safe Haven of Mother Mary is 5 km away from the Highway bus stop. You need a motorcycle ride going to the Sanctuary. Take a “Habal-habal” to get there for 100 Php.
Entrace of the compound and The monastery
Bounce in the bell and Wish in the well
Inside the monastery compound you will see a bell with small well below. The trick here is to:
1. Get a coin.
2. Make a wish.
3. Throw it and make it bounce through the bellβs side.
4. If it falls to the small well your wish will come true.
After 3 tries…Ding! Shoot! Salary Increase! Wait until March. HAHA!
The BIG Mama Mary statue
Got to be the biggest Mama Mary statue I have seen. It is 4 times the size of a man. You cannot miss this.
Man made falls and Picnic site.
You will pass a mini waterfall going to the monastery. In its side you will also see some picnic huts that pilgrims can use for shelter. This is free.
Colored candles
Regular brown candles are 5Php inside the monastery.
As option for believers, they can buy colored candles for 30Php each that symbolizes something. I indulged myself, wrote my wish on the paper, drop it to the box and lighted the candles.
The monastery.
The center of the monastery is set-up like a church with lane chairs and a priest pod. It has an aerial view of Simala in the balcony because it is built on a hill.
Testimony hall
Going to the Pa-pandong and crying mama Mary statue you will see a collection of letters, souvenirs, gifts from previous pilgrims. Their testimony proves that visiting the monastery has helped them recover from illness, passed the board exams, get married, have a baby or just get their wishes come true.
Wheel chair donated after pilgrim can walk again.
Pa-Pandong
Devotees line up get a shade of a cape from a miraculous Mama Mary replica.
I lined up just to get a close up of the action.
The crying mama Mary.
In the second floor you will see a replica of the crying mama Mary. You will have to remove your shoes as respect to the ritual.
You cannot miss this as silver stand lines are setup to take you there and to the museum and to the exit.
The museum
They have a small collection of statues, clothes and memorabilia from the miraculous occurrences. The photos did creep me out a little.
The guardian angels
You can find angel status upon entering the monastery compound gates. These angels are believed to be guardians of Christianity and their believers.
Pier One Park Mall.
After visiting Simala we had dinner in Pier One Cebu after. I find the barbecue, Native Lechon Manok and Nilaga very tasty. Yummy.
Sto. Nino Cathedral.
Attended a mass in the cathedral. So many people as this is the week before the Sinulog celebration.
Magellan’s Cross and Cebu City Hall
Usual stuff. Located at the side of the Sto Nino Church and City Hall
I enjoyed this day with my relatives.
Till next time.
11 comments
Comments feed for this article
March 15, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Dylan
i went there it was good the lines were long but was worth it
March 16, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Keen
yes Dylan it was a good experience visiting the shrine of Simala. It was non peak season when we went there so there are only a number of people. However they say lines can stack up to the gates during lenten season.
Thanks for visiting this log.
regards,
keen
December 2, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Anonymous
maganda sana pero wala ako.,jejejeje.joke lang po.]
July 8, 2011 at 3:30 PM
hazel taasan
please check out this page: http://www.facebook.com/mamamaryofsimala
and post some experiences if you like.. thanks.. π
July 28, 2011 at 5:00 PM
gogobibo
thank you hazel for visiting this site.
February 28, 2012 at 6:21 PM
Peter Smith
Wow, what superstitious trash. Brainy people will realize it was the army spraying the area with insecticide that stopped the dengue fever not prayers to some mythical being. Pity the monks and nuns don’t do something positive for the people instead of spounging on them as they do.
March 13, 2012 at 1:35 AM
gogobibo
Filipinos are well known for our beliefs and we are ready to do everything for our faith. You just have to respect that. π
November 12, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Anonymous
i’ll be back mama mary
June 18, 2013 at 8:03 PM
gogobibo
wow. yeah you should god bless π
November 12, 2012 at 11:33 AM
ruby
ill be back mama mary
August 28, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Marisa
I like 2 see mama mary coz its been long time no visit in here monastery since i leave ph.