A meaningful Visita Iglesia at the Shrine of St. Therese

MANILA, Philippines - Lent is a time when Catholic Filipinos go through a period of spiritual renewal. For the next 40 days, many of us bring our devotion and faith to the forefront of our lives, making time with the Lord our priority. It is also time we spend with our families and loved ones as we journey through the Passion of Jesus Christ and view it in the context of our own experiences. We see the world through the lens of reflection and reconciliation, sacrifice and grace.

Among the many activities we undertake this season is the Visita Iglesia, a pilgrimage to seven churches on Maundy Thursday to reflect on the Way of the Cross.

The Shrine of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus in Newport Boulevard, Pasay City, is an ideal inclusion for such an itinerary.

Dedicated to one of the most beloved saints of all time and envisioned to be Asia’s center for devotion to her and her spirituality, the Shrine is designed with every detail pointing to the simple, inspiring life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France whose faith and devotion to Christ guided her short life on earth. It is also the Diocesan Shrine of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP), led by Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak, D.D.

Throughout her short life and even after her death, St. Thérèse worked to bring countless souls closer to Jesus Christ. Her life and spirituality embodies the very essence of Lent, which points to reconciliation, repentance and a renewal of faith in God. Through her Little Way, she bids us to perform small sacrificial acts out of love, according to the teachings of Christ.

The shrine is an ideal refuge for weary modern-day pilgrims looking for their way back to God to hear His message of hope, love and salvation in the context of His faithfulness in the life of St. Therese. 

This impressive structure is built to inspire prayer and reflection with its column-less interiors that provide an unobstructed view of the altar and the impressive stained-glass windows that depict the life of St. Thérèse. The shrine stands at 35 meters from the ground to the tip of the dome and can seat up to 1,800 people comfortably. Every detail, from the pews to the doors, is designed to remind devotees of St. Thérèse’s commitment to God and His presence in her life.

The shrine also holds a primary relic of St. Thérèse, bone fragments of the saint given as a gift from the Basilica of St. Thérèse in Lisieux, France during the Second Visit of her Pilgrim Relics to the Philippines. The reliquary is located near the altar, under the image of St. Thérèse.

St. Thérèse declared that her mission, which was “to make God loved,” would begin after her death. From the immeasurable impact of her autobiography, A Story of a Soul, to her continued intercession for pilgrims, St. Thérèse continues to inspire millions with her simple spirituality and unwavering faith. She is truly a figure whom we can look to for guidance.

There is an Ecclesiastical Museum that houses religious artwork about the life of St. Thérèse as well as mixed-media mosaic featuring the Stations of the Cross. It is located at the St. Thérèse Columbarium on the ground floor of the shrine.

On Holy Thursday, St. Thérèse Columbarium is hosting free coffee and lugaw (until supplies last) for the faithful visiting the shrine.