Located on Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City (Metro Manila, Philippines), a street named after the Filipino Joan of Arc, the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul, is fast becoming the Shrine for the Poor and the Underprivileged. In fitting celebrations on September 26, 2004, St.Vincent de Paul was proclaimed the patron saint of the urban poor of Quezon City by Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. Thousands of people have watched in wonder and awe at the huge structure which has begun to take shape that can accommodate more than a thousand persons at a time and a Columbarium integrated into the total Santuario design which can hold as many as 9,000 niches. It is a beautiful landmark on the otherwise crowded and busy Tandang Sora street and it will have the additional distinction of being an environmental-friendly Church as the project plans would have it. Inside the yet unfinished shrine, one cannot fail to notice the perpetual presence of a refreshing wind, the green leaves, the open spaces, the remarkable peace and joy of being inside a true house of God. The wind and the atmosphere it engenders cannot but turn the minds of visitors and prayerful worshipers to the account of the Holy Spirit hovering over the Apostles. The Narra trees, symbols of the Filipino nation and their sturdy faith, encourage worshippers to praise God, whose presence is somehow more palpable and comforting in this place than anywhere else. They say that the Gothic cathedrals of Europe are the product of the faith of the West. Perhaps the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul will be seen in time as the product of the faith of the Filipino people reaching towards the rest of the world where so many Filipinos are migrant workers. This can be seen in the fan–shape structure which receives the worshippers in a loving and welcoming embrace.
The Shrine sits on a five hectare lot or complex (52,020 square meters) where the Vincentians have their Provincial House, Theologate, pre-internal seminary (PIS) and Orientation Year (OY) students. It was bought in May 1964 and at that time the whole property cost Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (P400,000). But it was only in 1980 that the seminary was completed and the minor seminary and theologians were transferred there. Later, the DePaul House was constructed to house the theologians.
The construction of a Shrine to St.Vincent de Paul was mulled over for a long time as can be seen from the minutes of the provincial councils which go back to 1976 and even earlier. The proposal was also taken up in various assemblies but it was in the Provincial Assembly of 2000 that the decision was made to push through with the project based on some project studies which painted a rosy picture of the sale of the Columbary facility.
It was on March 25, 2003 that the cornerstone was laid and blessed. Construction began on May 9, 2003. Parallel to the construction were photo exhibits, medical-dental missions, processions, rally, and the Enthronement of St. Vincent de Paul. The cross at the Santuario’s Dome was installed on July 31, 2004, only a year after the start of the construction and niches at the Columbary were expertly prepared. On September 26, 2004, St. Vincent de Paul was proclaimed patron of the Urban Poor of Quezon City by City Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. On November 16, 2004, Father Atilano Fajardo, C.M. who worked as project director of the shrine endorsed his job to Father Rizalino P. Garcia, C.M. The blessing and open house for the Columbary occurred on March 13, 2005 and by September 18, 2005, the first Sunday masses were celebrated at the Santuario. The Luke 418 (Singing Vincentian Priests) showcased the first ever concert on September 27, 2005 to highlight the fiesta celebration. By October 29, 2005, the sanctuary was ready to host the big silver anniversary of Father Agustin “Gestie” Advincula, CM, a missionary from Lebanon. The Luke 418 caroling concert was held on December 18, 2005 with the lighting of the parols and by June 29, 2006, the contract of Phase 2A was awarded to Konstrak International, Inc. The Columbary garnered the best columbary national award given by the National Product Quality Excellence Awards and on June 14, 2006 it won the “Most Outstanding Columbarium” award given by Global Awards for Marketing Excellence.
The Safehouse for the Poor.
During the Philippine Revolution against Spain, the Filipino rebels used to escape towards San Juan del Monte and oth er mountain areas via routes passing through the property of Tandang Sora (Melchora Aquino as she is known in our history) whose house and statue are only a few meters away from the Santuario. The poor revolutionaries had to rest and legend has it that they rested under some of the trees right within what is now the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul. With the construction of the Sanctuary of the Poor in honor of St. Vincent de Paul, the poor will not only have the trees for their refuge and safe haven but a beautiful place dedicated to our loved ones and to give everlasting honor to the Lord. The churches of the medieval ages were sanctuaries that people ran to in order to escape persecution;, the Santuario will also be a center for justice and peace.
Cultural Center of the Poor.
The poor always listen in rapt attention to the effusive descriptions of the Cultural Center in Manila, the skyscrapers of Makati and tales of the glorious beauty of Rome or New York. But they never have thought it possible to go to distant places to behold the beauty of the wonders of the world especially the cathedrals and churches built in praise of the Lord. The Santuario de SanVicente de Paul is envisioned to be a rendering of the fundamental spirit that brought about the creation of such wonders of human achievement. It will itself be a poor man’s cultural center where the poor and the marginalized will have a chance to perform and enjoy some cultural presentations. In the past two years or so, the Santuario has staged the performance of marvels of culture, notably in the performing arts. Just a year ago, Luke 418 drew a huge crowd not only because the quality of the music offered by the priests and the seminarians was excellent but also because so many of the other performers came from among the people in the surrounding area. When the Santuario is finished, it will be a central magnet and attraction for the best in the visual and performing arts.
The Columbarium.
In a desire to feel the loving presence of loved ones who have gone ahead of us, people want a safe and beautiful place where they will be fittingly remembered. Right below the huge Santuario is a columbary which can hold as many as 9,000 niches (each niche can accommodate 3 urns) when ready. Awarded the National Product Quality Excellence Awards “BEST COLUMBARY 2005,” the columbary of the Santuario was described in a flyer thus:” The Columbary is located at the basement of the shrine. Alongside is the fountain, which reminds us that as the water continues to flow, Christ, the fountain of evelasting life endlessly pours His graces and blessings to all. Marking the entry court are the two stone niches where candles can be lighted. The niches are clustered and are arranged properly. Each cluster is dedicated and named after a Vincentian saint, while some are circular in form signifying a sense of continuity and eternity. .. .. Outside, the landscaped gardens provide the visitors an outdoor setting for hospitality and invite them to take a moment to rest and utter prayers for their beloved dead.”
Fr. Rolando S. DelaGoza, CM
