Ninos and Marias in Simala, Cebu

Monastery of the Holy Eucharist

Location: Marian Hills, Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Southern Cebu, Philippines

Today is Mama Mary's Birthday, so I thought of doing a Travel post in honor of our blessed virgin mother.

Last July, I went to the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist to visit Miraculous Birhen sa Simala in South Cebu. Initially, we were planning to visit Oslob to experience the Whale Sharks. But due to many factors, we weren't able to push through the initial plan. But, to visit Simala one more time, I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

I first heard of the Miraculous Virgin Mary from a friend, who asked for guidance and enlightenment before taking the board exams. For those who didn't know about this, the miraculous image was said to shed tears sometime in the late 90's. Last 2011, we went for a quick detour trip with my friends, and that was my first encounter. The experience was very surreal, enchanting and more like heavenly, it was more like a personal spiritual journey towards you and your God. Well, I guess we need to be mature in some ways and have a connection with GOD. I need to emphasize on GOD, because oftentimes, we've gone astray, lost and confused without him.

 The monastery has been swarmed with thousands of devotees, believers, religious, desperates, and curious individuals from locals to tourists everyday. Upon entering the premises, you will see thousands of letters, petitions, prayers, requests, thanksgiving etc. whom graced the placed and was able to have a personal experience of Mama Mary's great Miracle. Mind you, there were cabinets filled not with just letters but other stuff like clutches, cellphones, calculators and all sorts of random things that prove it as well.

As a Catholic, and was being brought up with catholic values from school and at home, I was able to appreciate the whole experience. For me it was like a spiritual detox, prioritizing the essential things in life by doing good and keeping the FAITH.

Enough of my raves with "Faith", as I share to you my collection of PHOTOGRAPHS of the Many Faces of Sto. Nino and Mama Mary being devoted around the globe. With my keen eye, I cannot let just anything pass me by. Not in my whole existence did I see with my very own eyes, so many images of them. I guess, there are more than a hundred of them. Each beautiful made and dressed. This is also one of main attractions of the said monastery.

Our Lady of Cavodonga (Not shown in photo) with Sto. Nino

Vigen Rocio

Our Lady of Good Success

Our Lady of the Abandoned

Black Sto. Nino

Mainichi Marian no Kegavenaki (Land of the Rising Sun Japan)

Mary Help of Christians

Our Lady of Incarnation (Soul of Mary)

Baby Mary - Nina Maria

Virgen de la Caridad - Our Lady of Charity

Our Lady of  China (Mary not included in the photo) with Sto. Nino

Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Snow with Sto. Nino

Our Lady of La Sallete

Our Lady of the Candles

Our Lady of Good Health

Our Miraculous Mary that Shed Tears last 1998 and 1999.

But, it doesn't mean that every wish and prayer would be granted, I still do believe that in everything we do in life, we have to earn it to deserve it.