Finding St. Pio of Pietrelcina's Chapel in Barangay Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City felt serendipitous. On the first day of January 2011, while on my way to Eastwood City, I saw this chapel, and I knew I had to drop by and check it out. I am a greedy "prayer". When I pray, I ask too much from God, I suspect He would somehow chuckle whenever he sees me kneeling down for the rite. But the Almighty that I know is One with boundless understanding. So my litany of intentions actually grow exponentially by the day. Despite such prayerful devotion, I am really not too much of a religious being. I miss masses, I hardly do confessions or even communions. I am pretty sure I've never done a novena in my lifetime. I just pray because I know that someone listens.
But part of being a Catholic, I also believe in the power of the intercessors - the "saints", as well as the magic of a very first visit at any Church where "intentions" are supposedly granted. Faith is such a potent spiritual entity, and I have mostly been blessed. And there was this unmistakable pull leading me to Padre Pio's Chapel. It would, at the very least, give me spiritual satiety - the "smugness" of having been blessed by His presence. One particular saint that draws interest is St. Pio.
STIGMATIC
Pio of Pietrelcina (25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968) was a Capuchin priest from Italy who is venerated as a saint, having been canonized by Pope John Paul II. He was born Francesco Forgione, and given the name Pio when he joined the Capuchins; he was popularly known as Padre Pio after his ordination to priesthood. He became famous for his stigmata - bodily marks, pain, and bleeding in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. This phenomenon continued for fifty years, until the end of his life.
Padre Pio believed that the love of God was inseparable from suffering and that suffering all things for the sake of God was the way for the soul to reach God. "After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death" - he was once quoted. True enough, he is known to grant the wishes and prayerful "intentions" of the faithful. He further said, "If God refuses no one, how can I refuse those seeking my help!" These days, such granted intentions are on display at the walls of this QC chapel built for his memory. The ones I read: thyroid cancer, and various illnesses - all healed by the power of prayer!
This is the Eye in the Sky!
A long queue awaits just to touch this statue - Padre Pio's likeness. This girl had so much to pray for, she was completely oblivious to the long queue snaking impatiently to her right.
A simple altar in front of the chapel.
Unoccupied back of the chapel. 
Photo of Padre Pio's remains in Italy. Beside this frame are several testimonies of successfully granted intentions pasted on the wall.
Vera M. Calandra Center - Ms. Calandra championed the canonization of Padre Pio and she was founder of the U.S. Shrine to Padre Pio in Norristown. She took her morbidly ill daughter to the stigmatic monk in Foggia, Italy when the child's doctor said she wouldn't survive (they removed her bladder). The monk kissed the child's hand. Later that year, Padre Pio died, while the child grew up healthy and lived a full life. 
Daily schedule at the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel - with a daily mass at 5:30 PM.
The incorrupt body of St. Pio (left) in Italy, wearing a "silicone mask" (because the face was "deteriorating", but the chin was perfect and the rest of the body was well-preserved). In fact, his hands "looked like they had just undergone a manicure," according to Archibishop D'Ambrosio. Padre Pio (right) constantly covering his arms because of his bleeding wounds which continuously embarrassed him.
CONTACT DETAILS: (Please refer your inquiries to the number and email address posted below.)
Mailing Address:
Chapel of Saint Pio de Pietrelcina
RER Compound
188 E. Rodriguez Avenue (C5)
Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines - 1110
Telephone numbers:
- +632-6343668
- +634-3669 (telefax)
Email Address: admin@saintpiocenter.com
Devotee of Padre Pio may opt to visit Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay where Padre Pio is also well patronized - http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2014/04/our-lady-of-lourdes-church-tagaytays.html
Free parking space at the compound. A Pay Parking area is situated just beside this.
Interesting post...even am like you, I visit temples and ask for loads of things from God :)
ReplyDeleteThe church looks lovely, the bright white outside looks fresh!
I know what you mean. "Faith" is something that's common in many parts of Asia, including Philippines and India.
ReplyDeleteHi eye in the sky... I like your article with regard to Padre Pio and the pictures that you have posted is awesome. Hopefully I will be able to visit the church of Padre Pio... Hopefully sooner than I expect. =) great post
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's a serene and pious place, perfect when you just wanna pray.
how to get there if im coming from tandang sora ? plz help
ReplyDelete@ Isabel:
ReplyDeleteThe easier point of reference would be going to Eastwood City from Tandang Sora. Since you're coming from North Q.C., you have to get yourself to E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C5) and proceed south. You will pass by Eastwood City to your left, but go straight ahead and make the nearest U-turn. After the U-turn, you will be heading north again. You will pass by Nuvo City, then a small street called Industria Street, then a Honda (Cars) Center, then a creek.
Right after the creek, you will see a Signage that says "Chapel of St. Pio de Pietrelcina". Right after that creek is another small road that heads inside a compound (RER Compound) where, from a distance, you will see the white facade of a chapel. Entrance to St. Pio's Chapel is immediately to the left side of this white facade.
For more information, you can call the following numbers: +63-2-6343668, and 6343669 (telefax). You may also email them - admin@saintpiocenter.com.
It's really an easy find as long as you're attentive on your way to Eastwood City Mall.
Good luck. Cheers!
Just saw this post. It's really refreshing whenever I visit this place. Lots of renovation happened to suit the tremendous crowd flocking to this place especially during Padre Pio's feast day. Had the privilege of seeing St Pio's birthplace in San Giovanni Rotondo. The Libis chapel is a "mini" replica of Pio's church in Italy :)
ReplyDeleteTwin:
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I always thought the chapel looked too "simple" - doesn't look European at all, and I've seen several in central Europe. But then faith overwhelms any architecture, simple or grandiose. :)
How to get there from Batangas via tagaytay?
ReplyDeleteSorry, Khyrizh, I am not from Tagaytay or Batangas to be an authority on the direction you're asking. Just get to Quezon City and head to Eastwood City, Libis, and you're already in the area. Or you can try calling the numbers listed in the post. They maybe able to help you.
ReplyDelete