When we are tired, we seek an exciting adventure that feeds our desire for temporary freedom and peace. We might have gone to beautiful places nearby but we still feel the need to travel a little farther. Travelling to places we've never been to is something unforgettable and worth the experience. In this blog, I've been to Cebu City and I'm gonna share with you guys how I spent my vacation.

Simala Shrine Church is a religious structure and establishment located in Sibonga Town, Southern Cebu. It was built by the Marian Monks in 1998. The church became famous due to miracles that happened in the area made through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also renowned for its castle-like design that is visible from a distance.

Certainly, the Christian faith that was brought in this beautiful province spread throughout the country as the missionaries and faithful locals move and live around various places.

Pilgrimages or visiting religious places is one of the most important aspects that most Filipino Catholics have. This aspect keeps their faith alive and keeps them going despite all the challenges in life.

Why do people go to Simala Church?

You will find inner peace and space away from the city’s endless hustles, the shrine is the place to go to. The shrine opens space for you to reevaluate life. The lush trees and greenery from around the shrine surround you with fresh air, giving you consolation and comfort from all of life’s stresses. I know how frustrating it could be when you don’t know what’s wrong, but finding peace within yourself and knowing what to solve will give you the peace you’re looking for.

You'll get closer to God and find yourself.With all the world’s commotions, sometimes we forget why we even exist and why we had to suffer and endure life’s problems. When you find peace and a place to reevaluate your life, you will realize that beyond life’s struggles is our real purpose. Finding ourselves can be the most satisfying thing in the world. Because by then, we realize we have been wasting time on things we don’t need, and that we should have been doing the right things.

The Simala Shrine is jaw-dropping. If you happen to visit this place, I assure you that you could compare it with heaven. It is seriously heavenly. The place is wide and large. The details around the shrine, the intricate designs along its columns, rails, walls, and pathways are majestic. Call this a palace and you’ll never regret it. It is truly beautiful.

Offering Prayers/Written Petitions and Lighting Candles

People come to Simala Church to offer their prayers, petitions, devotion to the Virgin Mother, and their wishes to obtain various graces and gifts.

Some people come to be healed from various illnesses from minor physical sickness to even praying for miracles, such as from being a lame to becoming well again. Some believers claimed that miracle do happen in this place!

One thing that you would conspicuously notice are the variously colored candles to serve their various prayers signified by their colors. Yes, you can buy them in one place located inside the shrine.

Here are the colors and their corresponding prayers:

• Black – for the souls’ forgiveness and pardon
• Brown – for vocation: marriage bond, God’s servant, single life, etc.
• Blue – for perseverance in one’s employment, career, assignment, promotions, etc.
• Cream – for conversion/faith for one’s children, household, couples, etc.
• Gold – for healing of one’s health, recovery, spiritual, family tree, etc.
• Green – for prosperity or success of one’s exam, study, financial, business, etc.
• Gray – for deliverance from bad ways, things, spirits, or anything that is bad
• Orange – for reconciliation between (among) sweethearts, wife and husband, enemies, families, etc.
• Pink – for thanksgiving, happiness, or joy in both spirit and body
• Red – for love (unity, friendship, engagement, family)

What can you see in Simala Church?

The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist is a church in Sibonga for the Marian devotees. The church is very popular among believers not only because it is considered the home of the image of the miraculous Virgin but also because the place is truly amazing and spectacular,different statues of different saints and the Holy Mother.The Monastery is the place where the ‘Mga Monghe ni Maria’ [Monks of Mary] lives.

As you go inside Simala, you will see different letters for Mama Mary, giving thanks to her for the different things that happened to different people, like they are thanking, they had been able to walk, able to see and many more. Furthermore, from students, they thanked that they had passed for their board exams. Inside the church, you will see a lot of things on display as a proof of Mother Mary’s miracles to the lives of the devotees. The place is very peaceful and it is a good place to show your faithfulness to Mama Mary, although it is far from the City. Most people who visit Simala Church, will have their wishes granted. Others will have their lives changed and experience different other miracles.

The whole place is still in the process of improving its structure and they are working on expanding the place to make more tourists visit the place. The monks are now building their monastery at the side of the church but due to some financial constraints, it will take some time before it will rise. However, it is incredible how the place had developed from a simple hut to what it is right now.

Travel tips for visitors of Simala

It is advisable to visit Simala Shrine Church during weekdays, if you want to avoid crowds and other inconveniences in this holy place. You should avoid Saturdays and Sundays and even Fridays. Of course, if you are working full time during weekdays then you don’t have much choices but come on a weekend.

Strict proper attire
Remember, this is a pilgrimage and sacred site so proper attire is required within the boundaries of the shrine. No one is allowed to wear revealing attire and shorts. Visitors who have no idea about this rule prior to visiting the shrine are provided with a blue cloth to cover up and preserve their modesty throughout the visit. The shrine administrators are quite strict about imposing that rule.

Common sense policy
You are not allowed to eat food inside the structures, no smoking or drinking alcoholics, and certainly not allowed to make loud noise or anything distracting to others who come to pray or meditates.

Picture taking using flashes inside is also prohibited.

High stairs
Older and people with some illnesses are advised to use the ramp to get in and not use the elevated stairs leading to the church. When entering some places, you are supposed to enter barefooted, such as the prayer rooms.

Cottages
This is where visitors or devotees are allowed to rest, eat and drink your supplies for the day. These cottages are located just within the compound of the shrine itself. And of course, there are washrooms or CRs in the area available.

Protection from the sun
It is also advisable to bring your own protective shields from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, such as umbrellas, hats, sunglasses, shades, sunblock, etc. You can protect yourself from any danger or not waste time praying from getting heat stroke or skin cancer!

Mass Service Schedule

The Simala Shrine or the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist also celebrates mass every day. The schedule of the masses is as follows:
Monday to Friday: 12:00PM
Saturday: 10:30AM
Sunday: 12:00PM and 3:30PM
Every 13th of the month: 10:30AM and 3:30PM

How to get there?

From Cebu City, go to South Bus Terminal near the Elizabeth Mall or also known as "E-mall" and ride a Bus there going to Sibonga. Don't worry about when and where you're going to STOP, just inform the drivers to stop you at the road that will lead you going to Simala Church.

This trip is a 2 hour and a half hour ride from Cebu so you better bring some water and foods with you.

The Safe Sanctuary of Mother Mary is 5 kms away from the Highway from the Bus drop point and you need a motorcycle ride or the famous "Habal-habal ", going to the Simala Church.

THANKS FOR READING!