Lent season is stepping in and we’re all getting ready to observe holy week. Traditionally, we Filipinos spend this religious holiday reflecting and connecting with the lord, as well as spending some quality time with our families and friends.
One of the most common activities that we do other than cooking and eating Biko and Binignit (want a recipe? Click HERE), is to go on the Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross. This is a devotional act in which we commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ in 14 “stations” or images that depict scenes of His crucifixion and death. Although this activity is usually done in churches (or even multiple churches like in the case of visitaiglesia), there are a few venues here in Cebu where you can finish all the stations while enjoying a nice scenery.
Here are 5 sites that you can check out here in Cebu for your next Station of the Cross.
Talavera House of Prayer in Quiot Pardo
The Talavera House of Prayers is ideal for those who are looking for a solemn space where you can have a spiritual retreat (ideal of groups and even companies). Talavera House of Prayer was initially conceived in response to the need of the University of San Jose-Recoletos to facilitate the spiritual growth and enrich the faith of its students, employees and administrators. It’s a venue for prayer, renewal and individual solitude. It is open to everyone and is hoped that this place be of help to those who want to let God into their lives.
Location: Greenbelt drive, Quiot Pardo. For detailed directions, click Here.
Photo credits to the owner
Celestial Gardens, Good Shepherd Banawa Cebu City
The Celestial Gardens is actually a memorial park owned and managed by the Tanchan Foundation. This beautiful 12 hectare garden features rolling hills covered by flowers and trees. It’s also a favourite spot for those planning to go on the Way of the Cross since it’s very accessible and is found in the city (in Banawa).
This is a personal favourite of mine, mainly because we always come here for our annual Way of the Cross, and in a way, you make your own little sacrifice since you will have to walk and climb up and down the slope when transferring from one station to another. We usually come here at night since the garden stays open late during Holy Week to accommodate visitors. There’s also ample parking. If you’re going there at night, bring a flashlight with you by the way.
Location: Banawa Hills, Cebu City. For detailed directions, click Here.
Photo credits to the owner
Tabor Hill – Order of the Discalced Augustinians, Talamban Cebu City
Another popular spot for the Way of the Cross during lent, many religious devoteesvisit Tabor Hill for prayers and reflections. Visitors start at the chapel and a well-paved path leads to the different stations. Other than the stations, you can also pass by shrines dedicated to Mother Mary and other saints. If you’re planning to go on the Way of the Cross at night, Tabor hill is an ideal venue. The path is well-lit so you can easily see your way around the area.The Millennium Cross, which is 33 meters high, serves as market for those who want to reach the high point of Tabor Hill. The cross is found in the 12th Station of the Cross, which shows the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Location: Talamban, Cebu City. For detailed directions, click Here.
Photo credits to the owner
Q – Park
Q Park is in Barangay Buluan, Canamocan and TubiganCompostela and is open from 8 am to 5 pm. The only real downside that this place has is that it’s not really as accessible as the other spots, but it’s worth the travel. Other than the Stations of the Cross, there’s also a 41-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Quisumbing family owns the park and devoted it to God and the Virgin Mary. To get the statue, you will have to climb more than 100 fleets of stairs.
Location: Compostela, Cebu. For detailed directions, click Here.
Photo credits to the owner
Our Lady of Manaoag, St. Benedict’s Monastery, Carmen, Cebu
St. Benedict’s Monastery in the Archdiocese of Cebu is a Monastic house established by the Order of St. Benedict of Montefano in the year 1999. It is the first monastery of the Order in the island of the Philippines. St. Benedict’s Monastery was raised to the status of a Foundation in the year 2005.
Besides being a perfect spiritual escape, the monastery also offers a breath-taking view of the surrounding mountains.
Location :Corte, Carmen, Cebu. For detailed directions, clickHERE
Photos from: http://osbsilvcebu.org/photo-galleries/
