Finding Solace in Sacred Place : Visiting Simala Church

Hola! How are you doing lovely hivers? Well, welcome again to my blog .Let me dive you to my adventure in Sacred Place . Are excited? If so, let's begin.  Last January 24, 2025 me and my boyfriend visited Simala Shrine Church which is located on Marian Hills, Simala Sibonga, Cebu to visit Mama Mary of Lindogon, Lady of Rosary and Evangelation .We visit there to gave thanks and asked for Guidance. We want to thank for all the blessings we received throughout our journey .  Before we get there we need to ride a bus from Carcar City to Sibonga Cebu. We need to pay 35 pesos per head in the bus and when we get the street of Lindogon we need to ride a motorcycle and we need to pay 50 pesos per head. We travelled 1:00pm from Carcar City and we arrived there at 1:45 pm .  As we arrived there ,the place was very nice and very peaceful. As I look around ,I'm stuck by the beauty of the church .As I glance to the environment I see different faces and beautiful smile of the people around there .I came to realize that the church is a sacred place of welcome, acceptance,and love.  Before we enter the church we bought 3 roses of flower .We will gave and offer this to the altar of Mama Mary.Offering flowers to the church is my tradition to express love and devotion to God .Though it is very simple flower but for me it is powerful thing to gave love to Mama Mary. I offer the flower to mama Mary Symbolizing the beauty and fragrance of her love .  As we step up the stairs I was amazed by the church it's look like a castle .As we walk through ,I couldn't help but felt a sense of solace.The atmosphere was so quiet.The church beautiful architecture ,with it's stone carving is inspiring.   When we saw a candle area we bought purple candle.Actually,there is so much color that we can choose and every color has its meaning or symbolism so the purple candle symbolizes for spiritual growth, deep reflection, and achievements, plans in life, journeys, voyages, struggles, and endeavors. We choose this color because it's my favorite color and the meaning of the candles is relatable of what I've prayed for.  This moment, is my moment with God and Mama Mary .I asked forgiveness for all the sin that I did .Sin that I didn't mean to do .I ask forgiveness in every aspect of my life the things that I did, that is not according to his will.  After we light candle , we went to the statue of Mama Mary,I felt a sense of peace wash over me ,all my worries and problems had been lifted.I prayer for Mama Mary's intercession,asking for her help ,protection and guidance to my life ,family and to those people who is near to my heart .I also pray that she will guide me throughout my journey especially my studies that her will give me strength and wisdom so that I am able to conquer all the difficulties , struggles that life had to offer.I also pray for relationship that she will guide us and care for us gave us the kind of love that is genuine and true. As I pray,I realized that Mama Mary is not just a figure ,but she is a living presence in our lives. She is a mother and a friend to guides and supports us.  After we pray inside the church, we looked around the church.Once you enter the monastery, you will see a lot of letters from locals believed to have been healed by the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are also pictures, wheelchairs, books, graduation robes, etc. The second part of the monastery is where you can write letters or prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then beside it is a prayer station, where a replica of the statue of Virgin Mary is enshrined. It is believed that the image is miraculous as it is said to have shed tears once. Then, there is a museum where different statues and replicas of the Blessed Virgin Mary are displayed. The clothes of the miraculous Virgin Mary when she is believed to have shed tears is now preserved in a glass case.  After that , we took some pictures for memories and we let someone captured us even though we don't know them but they are so kind and generous.They are so supportive whey they taking pictures of us. I realized that being supportive is one of the filipino strength ,though there are people that is not so kind but atleast someone exist. Everyone of us can make mistake but the most important things is we know how to ask forgiveness and repent to God.  I let my boyfriend to captured me some photo . This moment I'm really at peace and tranquility because I finally visit the Simala Shrine Church and I am able to gave thanks and ask guidance to Mama Mary.  We bought rosary bracelet for our remembrance as we visited the church. There is also a souvenir store inside Simala Church where a plethora of rosaries, bracelet ,crucifix, images of the Blessed Mary, saints and angels, bibles and prayer guides are being sold.  Visiting Simala Shrine is one of the most unforgettable experience in my life. As I left the church ,I found myself in the presence of Mama Mary,I am so very blessed because I am able to take the moment to reflect my life and to seek her guidance. I feel refreshed,renewed and happy. If you want to visit Simala Shrine, feel free to visit and feel free to experience the love of Mama Mary.  Once again ,this is @geleniverse I am living a thought that let's seek first the kingdom of God. Because everything that we prayed for will be answered in the right time. Thank you for reading lovely Hivers Community! Have a blessed day ahead! [//]:# (!worldmappin 9.97927 lat 123.60106 long Simala Shrine Visit d3scr)