Divine Mercy - The National Shrine (Philippines)

Divine Mercy Shrine is located in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

Majority of the christian believers considered this as one of the most miraculous shrines in the Philippines. The Divine Mercy hills has a Divine Mercy Christ statue with a height of 50 feet. This serves as a pilgrimage destination for devotees and you can also see the Macalajar Bay from above. It is 30 minutes away from Cagayan De Oro  City.

The Divine Mercy Shrine is a sacred place. Visitors are not allowed to go up wearing their mini dress, skirts, shorts and any revealing clothing. Like me, I went there wearing an above-the-knee skirt so I was advised to wear this:

This was not my first time to visit. I went here 8 years ago with group of nuns which congregation I belonged to. We went there to attend the mass and had a brief orientation about the devotion. But this time I was with my travel buddy who has no religion yet I am happy because he supports me in my belief and he observed the solemnity of the place. Anyway, while going up there, I felt the peace within, Christ's love and I thank Him for that.

My primary purpose of coming here is to experience my soul of God's Divine Mercy and Love. Taking photos and enjoying the overlooking Macalajar Bay is a bonus.

Getting to Divine Mercy Shrine from CDO is easy. You can follow my guide below:

1. From your hotel/accommodation in CDO, ride a tricycle or jeepney going to Gaisano mall (fare P7.00) and get off near the gasoline station. From there, take a jeepney going to Bulua terminal (fare:P13.00). From Bulua terminal, ride a jeepney going to El Salvador (fare:P10.00) and ask the driver to drop you off to Divine Mercy corner road. And ride a habal2x or motorcycle in English (fare:P10.00). I appreciate the driver who we hired because of his kindness and he gave us the exact price. 

I took his card so I can help him in my own simple way as my gratitude of his honesty. If you happen to read my blog and you are going to Divine Mercy Shrine, please find him and extend my best regards. May God shower His mercy to him and his family. 

2. I got this information from my research and based on the local people there: From  the airport:

a. There is no other airport there except the Laguinduingan Airport. It is along the highway so you can easily take a jeepney for a cheaper price going to Divine Mercy Shrine.

From there, ride a jeepney going to Bulua terminal (fare:P10.00) then follow my guide number 1.

b. You can also rent a car or a package deal with taxis from the airport to Divine Mercy Shrine. Price is negotiable so apply your haggling skill as much as you can :)

We availed the bonus of enjoying the peaceful place, taking photos and buying souvenirs. Allow me to share some of our captured memories there.

This is the stairs going up.

Schedule of activities and masses.

Beautiful front view with an aisle sorrounded with a lot of flowers.

Christ's Statue with my Sam.

Closer view of Christ's face. Seems like He's saying "Hello" to all of you while looking at the camera. AWE-mazing Lord!

That red and white color is stairs and you can climb up there closer to Him. Unfortunately, it was closed during our time probably because mass was still going on. 

The Divine Mercy chapel. It was Holy Week so a lot of people were there.

People's testimonies on how miraculous Christ is.

 At the back of the chapel you can see this building where you can find souvenirs.

Beautiful back fiew of the 50-foot Christ's statue.

The Overlooking Macalajar Bay

Going down the stairs and about to say goodbye to Jesus.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is also here.

If you want to offer a prayer or petition, enter this building and light a candle.

It is greatly recommended for us Christians and devotees who do the novena that the intentions and prayers be said together with the chaplet of Divine Mercy, since our Lord specifically asked for a novena of Chaplets especially before the feast of Mercy.  - http://nsshph.blogspot.com/

This is a must visit for devoted christians. Non-Christians will not miss much the great view, fresh air and serenity if they don't visit this place. It was well-worth the visit indeed. I would definitely come back here again, someday and somehow.