Divine mercy Shrine El Salvador

It was in the year 2000, The Golden Jubilee Year - when a group of Divine Mercy devotees started to receive visions, messages and instructions from Jesus to start to build the Church of His Mercy.” The testimony is told in a pamphlet -- published by the non-profit group Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao -- and explains the mystery behind the Divine Mercy Hills shrine.

However the response was not an immediate yes.

“For three straight years the group ignored the Lord’s request to build His Church out of fear and worry.”

They only had P2,000 pesos in the bank.

“It was an enormous task that the Lord was asking them. They had mixed feelings of doubts and uncertainties how this project, which will be funded from solicitations and donations, will materialize. Their fears and worries even became bigger with with the catastrophic disaster of the Twin Towers in New York USA in 2001.”

The narrative continues, “However, God’s ways are not man’s ways and the Lord rebuked them for their lack of faith with this message, “Why do you doubt? The fact that you have doubts indicate that you do not know your God, as you should. If your prayer life is infiltrated with doubts, you have denied yourself the greatest single avenue of power that your God has made available to you. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Obedience to my commands always bring fulfillment. When I give you instructions, obey immediately and watch My perfect plan unfold in your life.”

God won out. “Armed only with deep faith in the Mercy and providence of the Lord and convinced of the urgency of the message” the group, comprised of homemakers and ordinary townsfolk, frantically followed up with years of activity and outreach letting divine intervention miraculously clear the path that was once obscured by doubt and incredulity.

Today, the 50-foot statue of the Divine Mercy Image stands on the hills overlooking the town of El Salvador, now a city, in Misamis Oriental in Mindanao and Macajalar Bay to the east. The red and pale rays in the image are made of stairs that lead up to an inner chamber within the heart of the image where a tabernacle awaits the pilgrim. The image stands like a lighthouse for ships at sea.

The symbolism is intentional. According to the testimony, “It serves as a beacon of hope for weary souls and a fountain of respite for all people.”

The little town of El Salvador in Mindanao where the Divine Mercy Hills Shrine is ensconced above a valley has become a magnet for pilgrims and travelers from all over the Philippines and many parts of the world eager to see the wonders of mercy that the Lord has wrought in this remote part of the world. Among them are the faithful who carry out the deeds prayers and words asked in the “Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul” by Sister Faustina which reads, “I desire that the whole world know my infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary 687)

“The site would be in this century what Fatima was in its own century according to the Lord,” explained Paquita Adaza, the spokesperson for the Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao, Inc. and one of the members of the charismatic prayer group that was inspired to carry out the enormous undertaking.

She explained it took their prayer group three years to act but in the end, the numerous signs, encouragement and inspiration from the Lord won out over what seemed insurmountable obstacles of fear, apprehension, lack of money and procrastination to build a shrine in an obscure town in Mindanao.

“True to His words, when the group submitted to God’s Holy Will, an endless account of miracles took place, from the discovery of the land, negotiations with lot owners, and finding funds for the purchase of the lots, up to the outpouring of donations for its initial developments and the construction of the P25M-plus, 50-foot statue in only three years.”

Paqits Adaza was in Malibu, California for a retreat last week, July 11-16, 2011, where she shared her testimony about the mystery of the shrine and announced the shrine’s last remaining work, the construction of a church for pilgrims which will be consecrated on February 11, 2013.

The church will be built behind the statue and a leading architectural firm capped the design with a unique building frame in the shape of crown of thorns that will adorn its domed roof.

“Time is short,” according to Paqits Diaz, “We were given ten years by the Lord to complete this work. We started in 2003 and we shall end the work in 2012-2013.”

There is a sense of anticipation in her voice. At the same time, one encounters in the person of Paqits Diaz a sense of peace and joy in the Lord and a total trust in his plan of mercy.

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

The Divine Mercy Intercessory Prayer Ministry, is the powerhouse behind the Foundation according to Paqits Adaza. “This group is composed of simple lay people who are blessed with the gifts of visions and prophecy. It is through the members of this group, particularly Agustina Tante, Merlyn Pacana and Marlyn Aguilor, that God revealed His plan to build the Divine Mercy Shrine.”

Shrine Facts

The shrine is currently co-managed by three organizations: the Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao, Inc., the Congregation of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Inc. headed by Fr. Jam M. Rokosz, MIC, Superior General MIC and Fr. Jan Migacz, MIC, Superior of the Asian Vicarate of MIC, and the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J. The Rector of the Archdiosesan Shrine of Divine Mercy is Fr. Walerian Pozniak, MIC.

The Divine Mercy Hills will feature complete retreat and seminar facilities. Places for reflection and meditation such as Mary’s Rosary Garden and the Stations of the Cross will sprawl over the 12-hectare area.

The 50-foot Statue of Jesus Christ of Divine Mercy is at the center of the shrine. Its base houses the reconciliation rooms while the heart holds a chamber of adoration.

Divine Mercy Hills Information

A book “Mysteries and Miracles: Divine Mercy Hills” details the work of shrine and is available from Divine Mercy Publications, owned by the Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao. For more information, email divinemercypublications@yahoo.com.

Healing Waters

The book “Mysteries and Miracles” contains testimonies of the many miracles witnessed at the shrine. It recalls how hidden springs in the hills of the shrine were discovered after much discernment and prayers during the early days of construction at the shrine grounds when construction crews experienced the hardship of hauling water up from the foothills.

The waters have healing properties as revealed by the Lord. It was a petition requested by his mother according to the Lord.

Testimonies

One testimony is of the healing of a Muslim woman Nurhina Marcampo Udin in July 2007 as reported by Mrs. Raquel E. Cabarron in July 2007.

Another, Alma A. Jovero of Dumaguete City claimed she was healed of her arthritis after drinking the healing water. Her son, Wilfredo Jovero Jr. was also healed of his drug addiction on the Feast of Divine Mercy last April 15, 2007.

Miracles

According to the book “Mysteries and Miracles” (Page 44) Divine Mercy Hills is Holy Ground. And accounts of miracles give proof to the claim of the visionaries that the place is set apart by divine design.

The site was first visited by the prayer group on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb 11 in a village coincidentally named “El Salvador” (The Savior).

“The Lord in a message said He prepared this place a long time ago. It is a place of healing and conversion. A safe refuge where weary souls come for rest,” according to Paqits Adaza.

Our Lady of the Snows

El Salvador’s patron saint is Our Lady of the Snows. Our Lady of the Snows commemorates the miracle of how an unusual snowfall in the middle of summer in the month of August in Rome marked the footprint of where the Basilica of St. Mary Major was eventually built in the year 352 to honor the wishes of the Blessed Mother.

Unexplained Signs

At the Divine Mercy Hills Shrine many have witness many unexplained signs.

According to eyewitness reports, “In August 25, 2004 one visitor, Mike Dial, a balikbayan from Sacramento, California, saw a flash of light like a bright morning star moving around the vicinity of the Divine Mercy Hills. It stopped above the spot where the Divine Mercy Statue is now standing. It was revealed in a vision to a member of the intercessory prayer group that the bright morning star is the one protecting the place which is holy ground.” (See bottom photo.)

Pilgrims also witnessed a celestial phenomenon also seen at Fatima, the miracle of the sun, in April 2004 on Good Friday after a recitation of the Stations of the Cross. It would not be the only time. Several times the dancing sun appeared especially during the celebration of the Feast of Mercy (Sunday after Easter) and the birthday of the Blessed Virgin (Sept 8).

Shrine Visit

Pilgrims are advised to observe a prayerful atmosphere when they visit the shrine. To spend time in the chapel praying the Chaplet of Mercy and simply communicating with the Lord. It is likewise advised for pilgrims to observe dress codes when visiting the shrine. Avoid wearing revealing dresses and shorts. This is a holy place not a picnic ground.