Sunday, June 16, 2013

National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan : My Great Summer Break



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Summer Vacation is one of the most awaited event in a student’s life. Many were excited when they reached the month of March because this month is usually the last month of their studies for their school year.

Summer Vacation for students means going to the places where we haven’t been. It is a nice experience when we try new experiences together with our family and friends and this vacation I spent most of it together with my family

My vacation became exciting because of so many things. I spent the first week of my vacation by just watching television,playing computer but helping my parents doing the household chores and giving time to rest and unwind.


On the second week of my vacation I attended the UPCAT review in our school for two weeks. This is in preparation for the incoming college entrance examination in UP campuses. I learned so many things in our review.


After my review for two weeks, we attended the holy week activities with my family in our parish like attending recollection, Maundy Thursday , Good Friday and Easter Sunday mass. Attending those Holy week activities deepened my faith and love to God.

Being a member of Knights of the Altar I regularly serve for the Sunday mass and attend my meetings and seminars of the youth ministry.



I also joined the pilgrimage of the Divine Mercy in Bulacan with my Aunt’s family and cousins. We went to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy or the "Pambansang Dambana ng Dakilang Awa ng Diyos" located in Marilao, Bulacan.

Wikipedia says it is a church dedicated to the Divine Mercy in the Philippines. It was elevated to the status of a National Shrine by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The first Eucharist was celebrated at this site on February 2, 1992, during the Feast of the presentation of our Lady.



At the back of the church is the model of Calvary with life-sized Station of the Cross. The Guadalupe Chapel at the church basement where the picture of Our Lady is enthroned with its flowing water that many pilgrims attest could heal. The Rosary Hill, Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes where people can pray in silence for good health, the Grotto of the Resurrection for long as they hear the water gush from the falls. The Shrine offers the Little Poland Museum that feature the house and the basement where Pope John Paul II lived, the Chapel where St. Faustina had a vision of the Divine Mercy and the eerie Prison Cell of St. Maximillian Kolbe where he was martyred.

We went to the under ground cave where we found the wishing well, some religious artifacts and the images of Mama Mary. We saw many statues of different Saints too.
We also bought some souvenirs like rosary bracelets and prayer books. We went happily because of the bonding moments with my family and spending more time in praying and asking the guidance of our Lord for the incoming Academic Year



Summer Vacation was not only for relaxation time but also we need to spend it in a meaningful way. We should not forget our Lord because he is the one who guides us in every thing we do but do not forget that summer vacation is a time for us to enjoy what we have and live our life to the fullest.

Contributed by Raymond Yabut

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