The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Antipolo

For the second part of my Good Friday pilgrimage, I visited the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus which is located along Marcos Highway right in front of SM City Masinag, Antipolo.

Founded in 2003, it is one of the first churches built in the Diocese of Antipolo at the start of the new millennium – around 42 churches were established in the Diocese since the year 2000. The latest of which were Saint Joseph Marello Parish (2017 – San Roque, Antipolo), San Pedro Calungsod Parish (2017 – Sta. Cruz, Antipolo) and St. Bernanrd Clairvaux Parish (2017 – Libid, Binangonan).

Now since the pilgrim relic of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus is here now in the country for its 4th Philippine visit, I saw it as an opportunity to visit at least one of her shrines here in Mega Manila on Good Friday.

I have already been to the Shrine of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Newport, Pasay City so I decided to visit the one in Antipolo which I have never been to yet.

The pilgrim relic of Saint Therese by the way is currently in the Archdiocese of Cebu and will go around parishes until the 7th of April. The relic will then be brought to another country after the 31st of May.

The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Antipolo is amazing. One would think that because it’s situated along the highway, few people would only go to this parish. But it was jam packed with parishioners on Good Friday.

I was there just in time for the dramatization of the seven last words, the 3pm dry mass and the veneration of the cross of Christ.

The parish is modern in design as with all the other new parishes built during the period. The whole church is surrounded with stained glass images that depicted the life and death of Saint Therese and on the floor just before you enter the main door is an emblem of Saint Therese.

Right in front of the church is the Les Buissonnets Hall which also houses the Parish Office, Adoration Chapel and a religious store.

Something I’ve never seen before is the parish’s 4-storey Tower of Prayer that has the image of Christ of the Resurrection on top – or was it the image of Christ the King because it also has the symbol of the crown. I am not sure.

Upon entering the church compound you will be welcomed by a famous Catholic pro-life marker known as the “Tomb for the Unborn.”

Because of its strategic location, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus is also a favorite venue for church weddings of those living in the East of Metro Manila.

HOW TO GET THERE:

When the LRT 2 Construction is finished, going to and from the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Masinag, Antipolo will just be a train ride away from anywhere in Metro Manila. But for now you may either get your ride from either Cubao, Katipunan or Santolan LRT 2 Station – just look for Jeepneys and UV Express Vans that will pass through Masinag, usually those bound for Cogeo and Antipolo, Sumulong.