Hello there, dearest readers! Do you know that there is a town in Laguna1 where both the parish church and the plaza (town center) plus the surrounding old houses were declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines?2 Yes there is! The town is Pila3.
Facade, San Antonio de Padua Parish Church, Pila, Laguna – Photo by JJ Carpio, own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, created 9 April 2015
For this post, Tita S will tell you 21 facts about the Church of Pila:
1.The Church of Pila, also called San Antonio de Padua Parish Church, is a church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua4 in 1581, making it the first Antonine church in the Philippines, and probably in Asia. Its feast is June 13.
Historical Marker, Pila Church, located at San Antonio Street, Pila, Laguna – Cultural Property of the Philippines number PH-40-0075 – Photo by Ramon FVelasquez, perspective correction Eugene Alvin Villar (seav), CC BY-SA 3.0, created 9 October 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_historical_markers_of_the_Philippines_in_Calabarzon#/media/File:Church_of_Pila_historical_marker.jpg
2. The Diocese of San Pablo5 dedicated this parish church as the Diocesan Shrine6 of San Antonio de Padua on July 9, 2002, as declared by Pope John Paul II, led by Francisco San Diego, DD, former Bishop of San Pablo, in the presence of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
San Antonio de Padua by Francisco de Zurbaran, created from 1627 until 1630 – Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua#/media/File:Francisco_de_Zurbaran_-_Sto._Antonio_de_Padua.jpg
This church was elevated as the National Shrine7 of San Antonio de Padua by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on April 23, 2019, the first church under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of San Pablo to receive such status, and the 25th shrine in the Philippines.2 This solemn declaration was led by Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP President. He led the mass on that date, along with the local bishop, Mgr. Buenaventura Malayo Famadico.8
San Antonio de Padua statue, Church of Pila, Laguna – Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/NationalShrineOfSanAntonioDePadua/photos/a.1220922491265873/1220922494599206/?type=1&theater
Prayer to St. Anthony of Padua – Source: https://www.facebook.com/NationalShrineOfSanAntonioDePadua/photos/a.795217050503088/3146340352057401/?type=3&theater
3. The first missionaries in Pila3 were Augustinians who administered their missions from Bay, another town in Laguna1. The Franciscans then started to evangelize the townsmen of Pila through Fray Juan Portocarrero de Plasencia and Fray Diego de Oropesa de San Jose (known as the Apostles of Laguna and Tayabas) in 1578.
4. They started to establish Villa de Pila and soon built a church out of cane or bamboo and wood, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua4, located in Pagalangan (which eventually became part of nearby town Victoria), a few kilometers west of the current site).8
5. From being a reduccion9, Pila3 was elevated to a parish on the feast of St. Anthony of Padua4 on June 13, 1581, with Fray Oropesa as its parish priest until 1583. In so doing, Pila became the first church dedicated to St. Anthony in the Philippines.
6. The Spanish colonial authorities gave Pila3the title La Noble Villa de Pila. In 1599, permission was given to build a stone church, made of adobe and stones, and in 1617, the stone church and rectory were finished.
7. The oldest surviving church bell of Pila3 was cast on the centenary of the parish in 1681, with the Franciscan emblem and the inscription “San Antonio de Pila”. It survived British invaders in 1762 when the people of Pila submerged it in Laguna de Bay, facing the church. It is now the third-oldest church bell in the Philippines.
8. When a new stone belfry was built in 1890, the parish recast an updated old bell in honor of St. Anthony in 1893. Today, the oldest bell of Pila is at the church convent.
9. Due to constant flooding, the church and rectory were demolished and transferred to their current site in Sta. Clara, in 1800, with the land donated by Felizardo Rivera, the recognized founder of Pila3.
10. The buildings were constructed under the direction of Fray Antonio de Argobejo and Fray Domingo de Valencia. Due to controversies surrounding the transfer of the church, the relocation took almost two decades to complete.
They say that the residents wanted to rebuild the church according to the original plan, so they got together in 1804, and moved it brick by brick, stone block by stone block, from the old site to the new one. The move was completed in 1816.8 Such a commendable and dedicated community! So, when you visit this church, think of all those townspeople who carried the stone and brick piece by piece!
11. From 1812 to 1835, Filipino secular priests served as acting pastors of Pila3 due to the shortage of Franciscan priests.
12. The present church and convent were built in 1849 by Fathers Antonio de Argobejo and Fray Domingo de Valencia. Both structures were badly damaged during the 1880 earthquake, where the bell tower toppled.
The present rectory or convent is made of stone, constructed under the direction of Father Benito del Quintanar in the 1840s.
The bell tower was reconstructed by Father Damaso Bolanos and finished by Father Francisco de Santa Olalia, and again rebuilt by Father Lope Toledo. In 1855, plans for a concrete belfry were drawn by the local architect and builder, Maestro Sabastian Bade, and was built after the 1863 earthquake.
American soldiers used the belfry and convent of Pila Church for more than a year. At this time, church properties were destroyed and looted.
13. The square-based, octagonal, red bell tower , on the left side of Pila Church is one of its distinguishable features. (See first photo above.)
14. The wooden altar is a massive structure that holds a relic of St. Anthony’s garment.
Source: 
Source: 15. The religious festival of Flores de Mayo10, for which Pila3 is now well known, was introduced in 1888 by Fray Benito de los Infantes.
16. The first monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus11 in the province12 of Laguna1 was inaugurated at the Pila Plaza during the town fiesta13 in 1922.
Photo by Ramon FVelasquez, own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, created 28 June 2013, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pila_Church#/media/File:PilaChurchjf3834_09.JPG
17. During World War II (1939 – 1945), Pila3 was not bombed, unlike neighboring towns Santa Cruz and Pagsanjan. The parish was transferred from the Archdiocese of Manila to the Diocese of Lipa, when the latter was erected in 1910, and finally, to the newly established Diocese of San Pablo5 in 1966.
18. The church has a three-level facade with classical Doric columns14. At the pediment15 is a niche reserved for St. Anthony. Windows of the choir loft can be seen at the second level, while niches for the statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus11 and the Immaculate Heart of Mary16 are found at the lowest level. The semicircular arched doorway has the Franciscan seal on top. (See first photo above.)
19. On the right side of the church is the convent, now used as a school building for Liceo de Pila, a local high school.
Photo by Carlo Joseph Moskito, own work, taken 9 April 2015, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liceo_de_Pila_03.jpg
20. The church complex of San Antonio de Padua4 is part of the Pila Historic Town Center, together with the town center (plaza) of Pila3, and 35 old houses and buildings, which were proclaimed as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute (NHI), now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, on May 17, 2000, by NHI Resolution No. 2, series of 2000. I will write about this soon.
A collage of important sites for Pila’s historic town center to be delared a National Historical Landmark – Photo: https://www.facebook.com/NCCAOfficial/photos/a.420407325282/10154315440895283/?type=3&theater
I adore the ambiance of this National Historical Landmark, the plaza surrounded by the parish church, the municipal hall facing the church, and old houses all around! No wonder it is used for photo shoots. I hope that the local government’s plan to make this a historical village, similar to Taal or Vigan, will come true.
Christmas 2019, San Antonio de Padua Parish Church alit, https://www.facebook.com/NationalShrineOfSanAntonioDePadua/photos/a.795217050503088/2940763455948426/?type=3&theater
I consider the honor of the town center to be declared a National Historical Landmark to be so unique, what with the combination of the church, plaza and surrounding old houses. I was told that the latter were mostly built during the early American period, around 1898-1900, with more than 30 houses preserved by the descendants of the original owners. I also hope that the other old houses that need financial assistance will be preserved by the local government.
21. This church was featured on The Amazing Race Asia 2 in 2007 and in the daytime television drama of ABS-CBN, Be Careful with My Heart.
The information was obtained from the Wikipedia pages “Pila Church”17 and “Pila, Laguna”18. The photos used in this post were obtained from the Facebook account of the church, National Shrine of San Antonio de Padua, Pila, Laguna, Philippines and Wikipedia, as labelled.
For devotees of St. Anthony de Padua, here are prayer links:
- https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-to-st-anthony-of-padua-302– for a regular novena;
- https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-anthony-novena– for a short novena prayer, to be repeated for 9 days;
- https://www.vaticansite.com/the-miracle-prayer-to-saint-anthony/– for the miracle prayer to St. Anthony
- https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-to-st-anthony.html– to find missing things
- https://www.santantonio.org/en/content/sick-person– a prayer for a sick person
You can visit the official Facebook page of Pila Church:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/NationalShrineOfSanAntonioDePadua/about/?ref=page_internal
So, have I convinced you visit this church? Why not include it in your next Laguna1 Visita Iglesia19?
You know what, dearest Seniors? Tita S was blessed to have done an early 2020 Visita Iglesia27 with her college buddies on March 8, before the Presidential proclamation of a of a public health emergency for the entire country due to COVID-19. See her posts so you can, somehow, virtually join her, and imagine that you also did the Visita Iglesia because it might be impossible to visit seven churches during this pandemic for Holy Week 2020: LAGUNA VISITA IGLESIA 2020: PART 1 (OF 2) and LAGUNA VISITA IGLESIA 2020: PART 2 (OF 2)
This is not a sponsored post. I just want my readers to know more about the Philippines.
Did you find this post informative? I would like to hear from you regarding San Antonio de Padua Parish Church and your comments.
See other interesting places through other posts in this category and other categories of SCapades, Pinoy Delights, and Smart Traveler – Now You Know, Short and Simple, and Say, Say, Say. Happy reading, and I hope that you will appreciate what I shared and some of the featured destinations will be part of your future travel plans!
Remember to share this post with your friends, follow me by clicking on the bottom right corner of your device, and do not forget to like this post. Thank you.
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The following terms are defined for interested readers, especially those with “Senior-Moments”, not familiar with Filipino, Catholic and architectural terms, and those too busy or lazy to Google such terms:
1Laguna is a province12 in the Calabarzon20 Region21 of the Philippines, located southeast of Metro Manila, north of Batangas, west of Quezon, south of the province of Rizal, and east of Cavite. This is the 7th richest province in the country, and the third largest province in the region. It hugs the southern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. It is composed of 24 municipalities22 and 6 cities. The provincial capital is the town of Santa Cruz since 1858, after Bay (1581-1688) and Pagsanjan (1688-1858). It is historically one of the first provinces in the Philippines to have been visited by Christian missionaries. Its main natural resources are its agriculture and fisheries, owing to its position near Laguna de Bay and the surrounding lowlands. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Laguna (province)”23
2https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1110846/400-year-old-church-in-pila-is-lagunas-first-national-shrine
3Pila is a lakeside town in the province12 of Laguna1, in the Calabarzon20 Region21 of the Philippines. It is bounded on the north by Laguna de Bay, on the west by the municipality of Sta. Cruz, on the south by Liliw, and on the east by Victoria.24 It has 17 barangays25 and has a National Historical Landmark (see fact #20 above). The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Pila, Laguna”18
4Saint Anthony of Padua (1195 – 1231), also known as Saint Anthony of Lisbon, was born Fernando Martins de Bulhões. He was a Portuguese priest and friar of the Franciscan Order, remembered by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and sick. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church26 on January 16, 1946. He was one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history: beatified on May 30, 1232, and canonized by Pope Gregory IX on May 30, 1232 – that is only less than a year after he died! His feast day is June 13. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Anthony de Padua”.27 San Antonio de Padua is the patron of lost things and of people looking for healing.28 See the links for prayers and novenas to St. Anthony de Padua4 which I shared above.
5The Diocese of San Pablo is a Roman Catholic diocese which is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Manila. This diocese covers the entire province of Laguna1. Its patron saint, or titular head, is Saint Paul the Hermit29. It is located along Marcos Paulino Avenue in San Pablo City30, Laguna, with contact number (049) 562-1039. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo”.31
6A diocesan shrine is a designation given to a church “to which numerous members of the faithful make pilgrimage for a special reason of piety.” It must exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services. The honor is conferred by the local bishop or archbishop, who canonically elevates the church to a diocesan shrine. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “National Shrine.”32
7A national shrine is a Catholic church or other sacred place which has met certain requirements, and is given this honor by the national episcopal conference33 to recognize the church’s special historical, cultural and religious significance. The church must first be recognized as a diocesan shrine6, and when devotion has grown, the diocesan shrine may petition the national Conference of Catholic Bishops which will evaluate and refer it to the Holy See34. The latter is the only one who can declare a church as a national shrine. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “National Shrine.”32
9A reduccion is a community set up under ecclesiastical or royal authority to facilitate colonization. Native people, many of whom had lived in small villages, were forcibly relocated to these new settlements. Missionaries and other colonial administrators attempted to convert the natives to Christianity and to teach them better farming methods and simple crafts. Natives lived under a strict regimen and were required to contribute their labor to various agricultural and construction enterprises. The information was obtained from the Brittanica page “Reduccion”.35
10Flores de Mayo (Spanish for “Flowers of May”) is a festival held in the Philippines for the entire month of May, as a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary using her image. On the last day, a Santacruzan (from the Spanish santa cruz, “holy cross”) is a religio-historical procession and joyous thanksgiving celebration held to honor the finding of the True Cross36 by Queen Helena of Constantinople37 (known as Reyna Elena) and her son, Emperor Constantine the Great38. It is accompanied by the steady beat of a local brass band, playing and singing the Dios Te Salve (the Spanish version of the Hail Mary). Devotees hold lighted candles and sing the prayer as they walk during the procession. Prior to the Santacruzan, a novena is held in honor of the Holy Cross. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Flores de Mayo”.39
11The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the image of Jesus Christ, depicted with a flaming heart within His bosom, shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, encircled by a crown of thorns, surmounted by a cross, and bleeding, and a wounded hand pointing at the heart. The heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Sacred Heart”.40
12A province is the primary administrative and political division in the Philippines. It is the second-level administrative sub-division of a region21. There are 81 provinces (called “lalawigan”) in the Philippines. Each province is governed by an elected legislature called the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and by an elected governor. Remember, a province in the Philippines is divided into cities and municipalities22 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays25, formerly called barrios. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Provinces of the Philippines.”41 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE PROVINCES IN THE PHILIPPINES?
13Fiesta is the term for a festival in the Philippines. It could be religious, cultural, or both, to commemorate the town’s patron saint, local history and culture, to promote the community’s products, or to celebrate a bountiful harvest. It can be celebrated by Holy Masses, processions, parades, theatrical play and reenactments, religious or cultural rituals, trade fairs, exhibits, concerts, pageants, and various games and contests. The origins of most early fiestas are rooted in Christianity, dating back to the Spanish colonial period when the many towns of the predominantly Catholic Philippines almost always had a patron saint assigned to each of them. Originally encouraged by the Spanish to coincide with Christian holy days, early festivals became vital instruments in spreading Christianity throughout the country. Majority feature a perya (trade fair with temporary amusement park). The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “List of Festivals in the Philippines.”42
14A Doric column is an architectural element from ancient Greece. A Greek Doric column has the following features: a fluted or grooved shaft; a shaft wider at the bottom than the top; no pedestal or base at the bottom; a smooth, round capital-like flare at the top of the shaft; and usually a lack of ornamentation or carvings of any kind. A Roman Doric column often has a base on the bottom of the shaft and usually taller than its Greek counterparts, even if the shaft diameters are the same.43
15A pediment is an architectural element in architecture which consists of a gable44, usually of a triangular shape, placed above the horizontal structure of the lintel45, or entablature46, if supported by columns. It is sometimes the top element of a portico47. For symmetric designs, it provides a center point, and often used to add grandness to entrances. The tympanum48, the triangular area within the pediment, is often decorated with relief sculpture. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Pediment”.49
16The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a devotional name used to refer to the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her Son Jesus, and her compassionate love for all people. Traditionally, her heart is depicted with seven wounds or swords, in homage to the seven sorrows of Mary. Roses or another type of flower may be wrapped around her heart. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Immaculate Heart of Mary.”50
Now, for those who are not familiar, you might ask, what are the Seven Sorrows (or Dolors)? Look and think no more. These are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary that are popular devotions and are frequently depicted in art: the prophecy of Simeon51 (Luke 2:34-35), the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23), the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43-45), Mary’s meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa52 (not in the New Testament), the Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary (Matthew 27:34-50, Mark 15:23-37, Luke 23:33-46, John 19:18-30), the piercing of the side of Jesus with a spear, and His descent from the Cross (John 18:34), and the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea53 (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:43-47, Luke 23:50-53. John 19:40-42). These Seven Sorrows should not be confused with the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Our Lady of Sorrows”.54
17“Pila Church,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pila_Church
18“Pila, Laguna,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pila,_Laguna
19Visita Iglesia, or Seven Churches Visitation, is the Roman Catholic Lenten practice to visit seven (and even 14) churches during Holy Week, traditionally on the evening of Maundy Thursday, to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church. There are no set prayers given by the Catholic Church for this activity, except to pray for the intentions of the Pope and recite the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Some may opt to pray the Stations of the Cross55. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Seven Churches Visitation”.56 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT IS VISITA IGLESIA?
20Calabarzon, or Region IV-A, or Southern Tagalog Mainland, is a Philippine region21 located in the island group of Luzon, with Calamba as its regional center. CALABARZON is an acronym for this region’s five provinces12: CAvite, LAguna1, BAtangas, Rizal, QueZON. It is the most populated region in the country and the country’s second most densely populated after Metro Manila. This region is located south of the National Capital Region (NCR), bordered by the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan and Metro Manila in the north, Manila Bay in the west, Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan Sea in the south, and Lamon Bay and the Bicol Region in the east. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Calabarzon”57 and https://lga.gov.ph/region/region-iv-a.
21A region is an administrative division based on geographical, cultural and ethnological characteristics. Each region is further subdivided in provinces12, composed of cities and municipalities22 (or towns), which in turn, are divided into barangays25, formerly called barrios, according to Wikipedia page “Regions of the Philippines”.58 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: WHAT ARE THE REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES?
22A municipality is a small, single urban administrative division, or local government unit (LGU), in the Philippines which has corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by law. It is a unit under a province12, subdivided into barangays25, and is locally called “bayan”. In the Philippines, a municipality is headed by a mayor, a vice mayor and members of the Sangguniang Bayan (legislative branch). It can enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern its jurisdictions. It can enter into contracts and other transactions through its elected and appointed officials and can tax as well. It enforces all local and national laws. There are almost 1,500 municipalities in the Philippines. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Municipalities of the Philippines.”59 See a related post: Foreign Seniors Ask: HOW MANY CITIES ARE THERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
23“Laguna (province),” accessed January 15, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laguna_(province)
24http://calabarzon.dilg.gov.ph/132-old-lgus/old-laguna-lgus/577-pila
25A barangay in the Philippines is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines, headed by a barangay captain, aided by a Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council). It is the native Filipino term for a village. It was formerly called a barrio. In a metropolitan area, a barangay is an inner city neighborhood, a suburb, or a suburban neighborhood. The word barangay originated from the term “balangay”, a kind of boat used by a group of Austronesian people who migrated to the Philippines. A number of barangays grouped together is called a district. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Barangay.”60
26Doctor of the Church, or Doctor of the Universal Church, is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints recognized as having a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study, or writing. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Doctor of the Church”.61
27“Anthony of Padua,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua
28https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1110846/400-year-old-church-in-pila-is-lagunas-first-national-shrine
29Saint Paul the Hermit, Paul of Thebes, Paul the Anchorite, Anba Bola, or Paul, the First Hermit (c. 227 – c. 342 AD), is regarded as the first Christian hermit, who was claimed to have lived alone in the desert from the age of 16 to 113 years of age. He is usually represented with a palm tree, two lions and a raven. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church as well as the Orthodox Church. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Paul of Thebes”.62
30San Pablo is a first class city in the southern portion of the province12 of Laguna1, in the Calabarzon20 Region21 of the Philippines, with 80 barangays25. It is one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in 1586, chartered in 1647, and became a city on May 7, 1940. It is the largest city in the province of Laguna by land area, and is nestled in the foothills of three mountains: Mount Banahaw, Mount Makiling, and the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is called the City of Seven Lakes because of the seven crater lakes scattered around the city: Lake Bunot, Lake Calibato, Lake Muhikap, Lake Palakpakin, Lake Pandin, Lake Sampaloc, and Lake Yambo. It is also a bustling city of trade and commerce as well as a center of education and learning with schools, colleges and training institutions. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “San Pablo, Laguna”.63
31“Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_San_Pablo
32“National shrine,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_shrine
33 An episcopal conference, or a conference of bishops, is an official assembly of the bishops of the Catholic Church in a given territory, often national, but may include neighboring countries. Certain authority and tasks are assigned to episcopal conferences, particularly with regard to setting the liturgical norms for the Mass. It receives its authority under universal law or particular mandates. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Episcopal conference”.64
34The Holy See (Latin for “holy seat”) is the office of the Bishop of Rome, i.e., the Pope. It could also refer to the Pope and Roman Curia, the central government of the Roman Catholic Church. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Holy See”.65
35https://www.britannica.com/topic/reduccion
36The True Cross is the name for the physical remnants which, by the tradition of some Christian churches, are said to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Historians claim that Empress Helena discovered the hiding place of three crosses that were believed to have been used at the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves, St. Dimas and Gestas, executed with Him. To one cross was affixed the titulus (wooden title panel) bearing Jesus’ name, but Helena was not sure until a miracle revealed that this was the True Cross. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “True Cross”.66
37Queen Helena of Constantinople, or Saint Helena (246/248 – c.330), was an Empress of the Roman Empire, and mother of Emperor Constantine the Great38. In her final years, she made a religious tour of Syria Palaestina (a Roman province from 135AD – c.390) and Jerusalem, during which ancient tradition claims that she discovered the True Cross. She is the patron saint of new discoveries and her feast day is August 18. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Helena (empress)”.67
38Emperor Constantine the Great, or Constantine I, (272 – 337 AD) was a Roman Emperor who ruled between AD 306 and 337, son of Flavius Constantius and Helena37. He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, on his deathbed, baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia, and was referred to as the “First Christian Emperor”. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Constantine the Great”.68
39“Flores de Mayo,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flores_de_Mayo
40“Sacred Heart,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart
41“Provinces of the Philippines,” accessed January 15, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines
42“List of festivals in the Philippines,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_festivals_in_the_Philippines
43https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-doric-column-177508
44A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches, according to the Wikipedia page “Gable”.69
45A lintel, or lintol, is a structural horizontal block that spans the space or opening between two vertical supports. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented structural item. It is often found in portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Lintel”.70
46An entablature is the superstructure of moldings and bands which lies horizontally above columns, resting on their capitals (the topmost portion of a column). The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Entablature”.71
47A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls, widely used in ancient Greece, and influenced most Western cultures. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Portico”.72
48A tympanum is a semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, door or window, which is bounded by a lintel or an arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. The information was obtained from the Wikipedia page “Tympanum”.73
49“Pediment,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediment
50“Immaculate Heart of Mary,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Heart_of_Mary
51Simeon, according to Luke 2:25-35, was a just and devout man of Jerusalem who met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus’ birth, at the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. The Holy Spirit visited Simeon and told him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. When he took Jesus into his arms, he uttered a prayer and gave a prophecy alluding to the crucifixion. This event is commemorated every February 2 as Candlemas, or more formally, the Presentation of the Lord, the Meeting of the Lord, or the Purification of the Virgin. His prophecy is used in the context of Our Lady of Sorrows74, and venerated as a saint with feast day On February 3. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Simeon (Gospel of Luke).”75
52Via Dolorosa, Sorrowful Way or Way of Suffering, is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary on His way to the crucifixion in the Old City of Jerusalem. The winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a distance of about 600 meters (2,000 feet), is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. This current route was established in the 18th century and is marked by nine Stations of the Cross55, with the remaining five stations, located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Via Dolorosa.”76
53Joseph of Arimathea, according to all four canonical gospels, was the man who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after His crucifixion. According to John 19:38, upon hearing of Jesus’ death, this secret disciple of Jesus “asked Pilate (Roman governor who presided at the trial of Jesus and gave the order for His crucifixion) that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission.” He immediately purchased a line shroud (Mark 15:46) and proceeded to Golgotha to take the body of Jesus down from the cross. Joseph and Nicodemus took the body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices that the latter bought, according to John 19:39-40. He is the Patron of Funeral Directors and Undertakers and his feast day is March 17. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Joseph of Arimathea.”77
54“Our Lady of Sorrows,” accessed February 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Sorrows
55The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, Ways of Sorrow, or Via Crucis, refers to the series of fourteen images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of His crucifixion and accompanying prayers, considered to be patterned after the Via Dolorosa52 in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary for His crucifixion. The devotion of Roman Catholics to do the Way of the Cross during Holy Week is like a spiritual pilgrimage through the contemplation of the Passion of Christ (the final period of the life of Jesus from His entrance in Jerusalem till His crucifixion). The 14 stations are: (1) Pilate condemns Jesus to die; (2) Jesus accepts His cross; (3) Jesus falls for the first time; (4) Jesus meets His mother, Mary; (5) Simon helps carry the cross; (6) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; (7) Jesus falls for the second time; (8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem; (9) Jesus falls for the third time; (10) Jesus is stripped of His clothes; (11) Jesus is nailed to the cross; (12) Jesus dies on the cross; (13) Jesus is taken down from the cross; and, (14) Jesus is placed in the tomb. All these are according to the Wikipedia page “Stations of the Cross”.78
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74Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother, Mother of Sorrows, Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours, refers to the Virgin Mary in relation to sorrows in her life, and portrays her in a sorrowful and lacrimating effect, with one or seven knives or daggers piercing her heart, often bleeding. Her feast is liturgically celebrated every September 15. The information was obtained from Wikipedia page “Our Lady of Sorrows.”54 See the Seven Sorrows (or Dolors) of the Blessed Virgin Mary in footnote 16 above.
75“Simeon (Gospel of Luke),” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_(Gospel_of_Luke)
76“Via Dolorosa,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Dolorosa
77“Joseph of Arimathea,” accessed February 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Arimathea
78”Stations of the Cross,” accessed March 21, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stations_of_the_Cross
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