For those wanting to visit the National Padre Pio Shrine, the long wait is over! The National Padre Pio Shrine is now open after its long closing period due to the ongoing Pandemic and this reopening allows visitors to physically visit the shrine anytime!
But for those currently affected by the local Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), you can still attend their virtual masses via their Facebook page: @SanPadrePioPH and their Youtube Channel: ka-Pio Vlog. Their digital masses are live at 7am, 10am, 12 nn, 3pm, and 5pm on their accounts linked above.
**Please take note that the ongoing ECQ from August 6-20, 2021 is only in the NCR area, in which does not affect the Shrine’s location (Batangas)
Locally known, the National Padre Pio Shrine is one of the top destinations for spiritual and healing devotees especially of St. Padre Pio.
If you want to know more, we have made a list about the shrine for you to know the next time you visit it!
Table of Contents
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
The National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio is situated at Brgy. San Pedro in Santo Tomas, Batangas. It is one of the top destinations in Batangas for every tourist who seeks spiritual advice and comfort, making it an ideal destination.
WHY SHOULD I VISIT IT?
- Saint Padre Pio is known to be a Miraculous Saint with stories of healing and miracles.
- Known for its spiritual Car Blessings
- Famous for its architectural design by Julius Pio Raña, it became every traveler’s checklist when in Batangas. It is composed of different areas with the consistent design of driftwood, bamboo, indigenous materials, sawali, stones, and nipa leaves.
- Fr. Jojo Gonda was the influence of the church’s design. From the salakot-shaped roof to the gazebo-style architecture. A no-door style was created to show that the church is open for anyone who wants to enter.
- The large scope of the hectare where it’s situated offers peace of mind and greenery scenes with fresh air. It is also quiet, open and perfect for anyone who is in search of spiritual guidance.
- Besides the main church, you can also find the Divine Mercy Sanctuary for Pilgrims, where the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was held in January 2017.
- Other structures within the complex include the Holy Water Sanctuary, Sanctuary of the Relics of St. Padre Pio, Chapel of Lights, Mary Mother of Mercy Belfry, the office, and souvenir shop.
- Among its written history, it was declared as a National Shrine in September 2015. This event is the first in Batangas as well as the CALABARZON region.
- Padre Pio’s already large following grew even larger after his canonization as a saint in June 2002, particularly in the Philippines.
- Aside from spiritual advice, miracles and healing are among the things that devotees pray to him.
- Inside the main church, Jubilee of Mercy, it is noted for housing the massive replica of the Glorious Cross developed from the design utilized for the Archdiocese of Lipa during the Jubilee Year 2000.
WHEN IS THE SCHEDULE OF MASSES HERE?
Prior to the lockdowns, the shrine is often filled with people who attend mass gatherings scheduled every day. The special day of prayer to St. Padre Pio is on every 23rd of the month except for the month of May wherein is on the 25th of the month in commemoration of the Saint’s birthday. Additionally, special days of prayer are held on every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.
- There are also Healing liturgies after Mass at 9:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon.
- Reading the Gospel is followed by a brief homily.
- Prayer for healing of the sick comes when first- and second-class relics of St. Padre Pio are exposed to be venerated by the pilgrims.
- Then there is an anointing with Oil of the Sick by the priests and religious present.
Now, when the pandemic had hit, the mass activities had to be adjusted and were held online to ensure the safety of its devotees. However, nothing can stop the Padre Pio church from reaching out to its people. Equipped with safety protocols and restrictions, you can now visit and attend the scheduled mass healings.
Just make sure to follow the following protocols:
- MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE MASK, FACE SHIELD, OR OTHER FACIAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT BY ATTENDEES.
- PERSONS WHO ARE AGED 18 YEARS OLD AND BELOW AND 65 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER.
- HEALTH PROTOCOLS ARE STRICTLY FOLLOWED
…and of the following schedule:
HOW TO ATTEND THE PADRE PIO MASS HEALINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC?
As mentioned, you can still participate in their Mass Healings digitally via their Facebook and Youtube accounts. As a follow up to this, the shrine has released online mass netiquette for their devotees in the new-normal setting.
If you would like to participate in this, you can do the following:
- Prepare an Altar also, put a lit candle on it to help set the stone. Dispose yourself properly before the beginning. Take 3 mindful breaths.
- Dress up properly even if you are just at home (change out of your pajamas or pambahay)
- Remove any distraction and limit your consumption of news and social media and make sure what you’re paying attention to is verified.
- Pray the act of Spiritual Communion from the heart, dwell on what words mean.
- Pray the Oratio Imperata within the mass, if it is part or soon after if not part. Pray for our Mother Mary’s intercession and for our front liners.
- Reflect on how God is teaching us to love “in this time of Corona or Covid-19″ and how we may have fallen short because of our own selfishness.
HOW TO GET TO PADRE PIO SHRINE?
Via Bus:
- Take either a DLTB or JAM Liner bus to Lucena from Manila.
- Before boarding the bus, inquire if it will travel through Santo Tomas.
- From Buendia and Cubao, fare ranges depending on the new cost.
- Tell the driver or conductor that you want to be dropped off in Barangay San Pedro.
The pandemic might have tested our faith, but it doesn’t mean that we cannot bounce back to our spiritual grounds. So, come and visit the National Padre Pio Shrine in Sto.Tomas Batangas! When you are in doubt and need guidance, add the shrine to one of your lists to travel. Be part of our local historical destinations and always stay safe!
