SIMALA CHURCH

The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, popularly known as the Simala Shrine or Simala Church is located in Marian Hills, Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. It was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks from Pampanga. It used to be just an ordinary church until after the incidents of miraculous events. One of which is the shedding of tears of the Mother Mary’s image. It paved the way for the shrine’s popularity with devotees constantly flocking the area. There are various reasons why people come to visit the Simala Shrine. For Catholic devotees, the main reason why they visit the place is for them to offer their devotion, prayers, and petitions to the Virgin Mary with a hope that each petition and devotion will be answered. Another reason is for healing of physical and spiritual illness. For some, especially for non-catholics, visiting the shrine is for adventure and curiosity purposes only. The amazing structure and architecture of the shrine will really leave someone in awe.
Here are the things that are not supposed to be done inside the Shrine:

 Taking pictures with flash
 Wearing revealing clothes (for ladies: mini skirts, short shorts, see through blouses and pants, tube and crop tops)

*Note: There are shawls or cloaks for rent at Php20.00 each for those who was not able to bring a skirt.

 Smoking and drinking alcoholic drinks
 Shouting and making loud noises
 Wearing of footwear inside the prayer room
For Catholic Devotees, here is the mass schedule in Simala Shrine:

 Sunday – 12:00 noon and 3:30pm
 Monday to Friday – 12:00 noon
 Saturday – 10:30am
 13th of the month – 10:30am and 3:30pm
When visiting the shrine to offer a petition or prayer, there are candles for sale (more or less Php35.00). Each color has a corresponding purpose. Here is a guide:

 White – Purity : enlightenment, guidance, right path, etc.
 Yellow – Peace : courage, strength, hope
 Violet – Achievements : plans in life, journey, struggles, endeavors, voyage
 Red – Love : unity, family, friendship, engagement
 Pink – Thanksgiving, Happiness, Joy : physical, spiritual
 Orange- Reconciliation : sweetheart, husband, wife, family, enemy
 Gray – Deliverance : bad ways, things, spirits
 Green – Prosperity and Success : financial, business, study, exam
 Gold – Healing : good health, spiritual, recovery, family tree
 Cream – Conversion and Faith : household, children, couples
 Brown – Vocation : marriage bond, single life, God’s servant
 Blue – Perseverance : employment, career, promotions, assignment
Simala Church is located in the southern region of Cebu province. To get there, you can ride either a van or a bus at the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City. Fare is around 150 Php.
Alight at the crossing towards Simala. You may simply ask the bus ticketing officer to drop you off there. Simala Shrine is pretty popular so you will seldom see Ticketing Officers that are not used to dropping off passengers to the correct junction.
Once at the crossing, simply hire a tricycle or a habal-habal to take you to the church. Fare is at 20 Php per head. Simala Church is a house of worship, so expect a set of rules for visitors/ pilgrims. This includes dress code and behaviour among others. The place was formerly a small farm where the monks lived. The monks gradually developed the area by planting vegetables and trees as well as raising animals. After some time, the monks built houses and a chapel. It was later called Marian Hills due to the presence of the Marian Monks. The monks reportedly prayed for an intercession by the Blessed Virgin Mary after the community was hit by an epidemic. The monks asked the Blessed Virgin to save the children suffering from the epidemic.
If like us, you’d like to bring a service vehicle, there are several parking lots available. Though there will be applicable fees too. Being a place that attracts a lot of people daily, there are several commercial structures in the area. This includes souvenir stalls, restaurants and cottages where you can eat and generally just chill in. You can even buy religious items like rosaries and prayer books inside. When we got their together with my cousins and auntie I felt amazed by the place. Even though we ride in a very long hour it is really worth it. When you enter the place you can see many vendors that sell their rosaries, necklace, bracelets and other things that can be used in the church.It has a long stairs that you can also take some pictures of the church, you can also buy also different colors of candle and also its meaning. You can pray whatever you want in your life. Many light colorful candles that can be bought inside, a specific color.

SIMALA VIDEO –> click here

©LYR LUCERO