Monday, April 23, 2007

Our Lady of Caysasay, Taal (Philippines)

I first heard of Our Lady of Casaysay from a journalist friend, Monica, who was commissioned to write about the history of the devotion during its jubilee year. I had always wanted to see the place but never had a chance till last Sunday, when a planned Tagaytay trip to bring around a balikbayan guest Ruben, tuned into an unexpected pilgrimage to Taal.

The church is a few minutes away from the main Basilica of Taal, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours. Not everyone knows the place as there is also an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Casaysay inside the basilica.

Little Souls Convent and the Sacred Crucifix from Belgium (Tagaytay City, Philippines)

I first heard about this convent in Tagaytay from Cynthia Sto. Domingo, a family friend. She says she visits the place every weekend since it is very peaceful and conducive to meditation.

She gave me a small bottle of holy oil from the place and told me it was dipped in a miraculous Cross which came from Belgium. There are only two such crosses and one was given to the Philippines.

When Bebeth and I brought our guest Ruben to Tagaytay yesterday, I suddenly remembered the place of the little souls. I opened my laptop and surfed for the address and tried to call their telephone but no one was answering.