Divine Mercy Shrine at El Salvador is becoming more popular not only in the Philippines but in some other countries in the world. Every year thousand and thousand of devotees are joining during the feast of divine mercy which held every 3rd Sunday of April that is after Holy Week. For this year feast of divine mercy devotees around 200-300 thousand estimated who has attended the feast of divine mercy last April 23, 2017, and visited the tallest statue of Divine Mercy in the Philippines.
They start constructing the Divine Mercy Shrine last 2003 and fully completed on 2008. But before it was successfully completed the Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao (Phils.), Inc. having some struggle to find the location and raising money for the statue of Divine Mercy.
Divine Mercy Shrine is located at Brgy. Poblacion of El Salvador Misamis Oriental in which the biggest statue of the divine is served as a pilgrimage site for the many Divine Mercy devotees. This is the tallest of its kind not only in this predominantly Catholic country of the Philippines but in the whole world. With 70 ft. tall from the crown to the base while the body is 50 ft. tall and it was facing to the Island of Camiguin.
A short story on how the divine mercy was built in this location.
It started out with just a dream. A dream that turned into a vision. A vision turned into a mission and the mission became a reality. The Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao (Phils.), Inc. was inspired to establish the Diving Mercy Shrine in Mindanao. For three years, the said foundation prayed and discerned for confirmation from the LORD if the vision really came from HIM. Truly so, after that, the Board of Trustees was convinced that it truly was. They were really called to build the shrine.
The search for the ideal place started. In the vision, the shrine was to be built on a hill overlooking the sea. After, 10 months of searching for the said place, they have finally found 13 possible places before they found the ideal place. With the grace of God, they finally found a lot. A place that overlooked the sea. The date was very significant because it happened on a Friday during the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
However, they faced a trial when they decided on purchasing the lot. During that time, they only had PHP2.9 million in the bank and the lot costs PHP 8.5 million. But, since the foundation answered the vision they took a large leap of faith that GOD will provide everything that they need to accomplish this mission. Planting seeds of faith, contributing their own resources and left an inspiration to people from all walks of life. These people were essential for purchasing the lot. Within two years, they have achieved in purchasing the said lot. Then the real mission began – building the shrine from scratch in the year 2003.
The foundation started to raise funds for the construction of the 50 ft. statue of the Divine Mercy. People who were touched by the LORD gave their part in making this dream possible. The sculptor, a multi-awarded Fine Arts Graduate of UP Los Baños, Mr. Nick Reyes was commissioned to do the design and construction works.
By 2008, the statue was completed. The base which is the Healing Chapel, the Heart, the Stairs, the stained glasses and aluminum claddings were all put in place. On the beautiful dawn of the birthday of the Blessed Mother of God, September 8, 2008, thousand and thousands of people coming from all over the country joined and witnessed the grand celebration.
Guide on how to Visit Divine Mercy Shrine:
From Westbound terminal Bulua
- You can ride a jeep route: Gitagum, Languindingan, Manticao and Alubijid.
- Around 15-20 minutes travel time from terminal to El Salvador and the fare is just 15-20 pesos.
- You can also ride a bus going to El Salvador from Bulua Terminal.
- When you arrive, you need to ride a single motor or “Habal-Habal” going to the Divine Mercy Shrine around 3-5 minutes. The fare is 10 pesos per head. You can walk if you like, around 15-20 minutes you will reach the Shrine.
- If this is your first time visiting the place always inform the driver or the conductor that your destination is Divine Mercy.
What to Wear if you visit the Shrine:
- For ladies, if you are visiting the shrine don’t wear “Ma-ong Pants, shorts, and sleeveless.
- For gentlemen, don’t wear sleeveless.
There are mass schedules in divine mercy, which you can attend during ordinary Sunday’s.
This is the ongoing statue who was constructed on the shrine of divine mercy which they will call it Garden of Mama Mary beside the statue of Divine Mercy.
We are a group of committed individuals from different walks of life with a common goal to attain collective togetherness in the name of our Lord, Who is working Miracles and Healings. We are directed and guided by our spiritual directors Rev. Fr. Jaynadhan (msgr), Rev. Fr. Arokia Dass, from the Archdiocese of Bangalore. We have been spiritually enriched by the meetings and spiritual activities conducted(Twice a month). We Need Support in bringing in all wonderful journeys called spreading the love of Divine mercy in Bangalore.
We as a Group have opened a Chapel in Infant Jesus church,Viveknagar,Bangalore,India. And also helped others to start the Group in 10 other churches in Bangalore.
Our Daily Activities:
We as a Group Recite Rosary every evening and telecast Live on Facebook Channel, I will attach the link below for the same.
Weekly Activities:
We visit Houses for Prayer for Different Intentions and Thanksgivings Upon their Request.(Stopped Now Due to Covid)
We do Divine Mercy Rosary at 3 O’Clock Noon on Every Friday.
Monthly twice we have meetings with Fr.Arokia Das, our Spiritual Guide.
(20+) infant jesus church & shrine divine mercy group – Search Results | Facebook
Yearly Activities:
We as a group Contribute and Do charity works like Providing Groceries for needy, Providing food for Orphanages.
We Celebrate Novena of the Divine Mercy and have a Grand Celebration on the feast Day at church.
On mission Sunday we create a scary house with the concept of Choosing the path of Righteousness to get Mercy of our Lord to reach Heaven.
I have also attached the Photos of the activities we have been doing.
We would need your helping hands to spread the love and Mercy of our Lord. We Would like to Build a Divine Mercy Church in Bangalore and We would also be happy if you Could also help us with St.Faustina’s Relic.and also we need camera & laptop for live streaming
Awaiting for your Response.
Thank You,
Infant Jesus Church, Viveknagar,
Divine Mercy Group,
Bangalore, Karnataka,
India.