St. Paul of the Cross Rising

Wow, how blessed you are, to have a church that had stood witness to the faith of the people. Imagine, your ancestors have said their prayers right there, too, and offered praise and thanksgiving to our God. I love churches, and I often do my best, if I can, visit a church I have not come to, on Visita Iglesia. I love belfries, too. When I was little, in Olongapo, I waited for the clanging of the bell Angelus time.

@magallon Manila did close the Basilica Minore de Immaculada Conception for two years, for the structure reinforcement. The earthquakes have shattered bits and pieces. As did the Immaculate Cenception Church in Quezon City. Both are as grand now as ever. Air-conditioned. I believe old churches must really be maintained. I commend the architects of old. They did build strong churches that can withstand the test of time.

@eileenleyva You are such a religious person i think... That church that we have in our province was already repaired and renovated. But they made sure that its original features are retained.

It was a panoramic shot. That is why it appears huge. It is not. Just a small church, considering our grand churches all over the country. This church does not have a belfry. I wanted it to have one. I did ask our parish priest about the design. He said it was eclectic. A little baroque, a little this and that. The church will carry a stained glass of the twelve apostles. I am fine with that, I told our priest, so long as you also have St. Paul the Apostle. Our patron is St. Paul of the Cross.

@topffer My, thank you for that information. I am zero in architecture. But I do appreciate buildings and skyscrapers, Tower 1 and Tower 2. Ha ha. It seems Twin Towers have become a trend. Our Bonifacio Global City, located at the heart of the metropolis, is patterned after New York City. Omigosh, the towers there are so millennial. Sometimes, I slow down driving just to look at the architecture, I am impressed. But I love the old churches. Picturesque.

@eileenleyva It is late Spanish baroque style ; the main door looks a bit later. There can be other styles inside though. Really nice building. Our recent churches have a modern architecture.

Pope John Paul II, when he was still Cardinal Wojtyla, came to visit the Philippines. His early morning return flight was delayed for a few hours. So, he asked his aide if there was any church near the airport where he can celebrate the six am Mass. The aid said Baclaran church is just four or five kilometers away. So they went, and Cardinal Wojtyla was ushered to the entrance of the sacristy. The parish priest was preparing for Mass, and Cardinal Wojtyla expressed his wish to con-celebrate. The parish priest was delighted and gave the Cardinal a vestment. Then the Cardinal heard singing, and they went to the altar, and lo and behold, the Cardinal was so shocked to see a sea of people, on a standing room only capacity, all ardent to hear the Holy Mass. It was an ordinary Wednesday morning. Arthur, not attending church is arrogance towards a Creator Who has bestowed us life. How can we express delight in the beauty of architecture, one made by man, when we defy the Creator Whose masterpiece is man. Most churches in the Philippines are centuries old. New ones have been built in the past decades. But what is important is not the structure.

@eileenleyva it's no use just stating that there is a God without preenting testable empirical evidence - there are hrines to many gods - why should your be any more rel than any of them?

Exactly. Our old folks resisted at first, when our parish priest told them about the construction of the new church. They contend that all the rites were done in the old chapel, and their memories are in that chapel. I was Duh!, we could barely fit on a Sunday Mass. You are correct. The church must be maintained. And, make way for the new, it brings hope.

@eileenleyva Because it could kill them in an instant if a strong earth quake hits the place with an old church.

@Letranknight2015 Correct. I think the CBCP did order the parishes to check the old churches. Necessary measures were done. The Big One is a serious matter. They say, thousands could lose their lives in Metro Manila alone. Sigh. I have prepared water, in any eventuality.

Hello, Felicia, it is good to meet you here. I believe people can be virtual friends in the internet. It is the dictate of the times. Ha ha. Glad you have a century old church. I find old structures quaint, with lots of stories to tell. Ha ha again. But indeed, old churches are charming. Many children have been baptized there, grew up with Sunday homilies there, a catechism like no other, people have exchanged vows, wow, all so sacred. That is so wonderful.

@DesirousDreamer Oh Felicia, I would not ask what religion you belong to now. I am just sad, because apostasy was prophesied. I do pray you;d overcome whatever that was that made you depart from the faith. As the last book of the Sacred Scriptures foretold, an ultimate battle of good versus evi will happen. Many will apostate, for even the papacy will be affected. It is happening now. We are living the pages of Revelation in real life. With the world are war, the annihilation of the human race is impending. Hu Hu

@eileenleyva Nice to meet you as well! Yes, many churches are beautiful with all that is going on. I am no longer a person of Christian faith, but I still admire the community that happens within a church.

That is a panoramic shot. The church is not as huge. Just the medium sized church for our community. Under the church is the columbarium. It is finished and many old parishioners were cremated and put in an urn right there. Yes, I did travel there and visited the churches, including the ruins of Sarrat. I love all the churches, a testament to the faith of the people.

And now these churches are tourist attraction.

@ilocosboy I think I was your proto tourist. I did start telling friends of my adventure. Before I knew it, they had made their own travelogues. All patterned after mine. Hmph. I should have been paid some fees by your local governments. Joke.

@eileenleyva not really active. I hear often. No church organization affiliation but I do get involved in the feeding program of the Church. I sponsor a weekend feeding for children every quarter.

That is relatively new. Will still see many rites and hear many stories, good, happy, and sad. Do you join church functions?. Are you active in any church organization?