MANILA – The Philippines is still home to one of the world’s largest Christian population. It’s no wonder our country is filled with historical, beautiful and even miraculous churches.
Miracles, whether big or small are often widely debated and sometimes controversial. But for devotees and parishioners, faith alone can bring miracles in their lives.
Here we list down 5 churches that are most visited for its healing miracles:
1. THE MINOR BASILICA OF THE BLACK NAZARENE / ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH (Quiapo, Manila, Philippines)
The home of the miraculous Black Nazarene, Quiapo church is one of the most famous churches in the country. Every year, hundreds of thousands of faithfuls join the procession of the Black Nazarene also known as Traslacion. Faithfuls share their own stories of miracles and healing granted by the Black Nazarene.
Popular celebrities and personalities such as Coco Martin, Noli de Castro, Bayani Agbayani and Angeline Quinto are devotees of the Black Nazarene. Coco Martin has always thanked the Black Nazarene for his popularity and prosperity. Angeline Quinto believed that the Black Nazarene miraculously healed her sick mother.
A devotee named Virginia Cantos also recalled how the Black Nazarene miraculously healed her from tongue cancer 36 years ago. She completed nine days of going to mass at Quiapo Church until doctors soon found out her cancer cells were gone. Now at 71 years old, she is a strong devotee of the Black Nazarene.
2.) SIMALA SHRINE / THE MONASTERY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST (Lindogon, Sibonga, Cebu)
Located in Sibonga Town, Southern Cebu, the Simala Shrine is visited by devotees all over the world. The huge structure also serves as a monastery to the “Mga Monghe ni Maria” or Marian Monks.
But if its facade is already breathtaking, the inside of the huge Church will surely captivate you.
Inside, the place is like a book of miraculous stories. You can find various objects such as thank you notes, crutches of patients, test results from terminally ill and graduation photos encased in glass as “memorabilias” from devotees whose prayers have been answered by the Virgin Mary.
But the most famous miracle known in Simala Church is the “weeping” of the image of the Virgin Mary. Back in 1998 when the place was burdened with dengue, the image of Mary as Lady of Lindogon “shed tear” on her birthday on September 8. Those struck with the illness were miraculously cured.
Marian devotees recalled that the image cried five times since 1998. The latest was in 2016 when the “crying” image of the Lady of Lindogon circulated on social media.
3.) OUR LADY OF MANAOAG CHURCH / NUESTRA SENORA DEL SANTISSIMO ROSARIO DE MANAOAG (Manaoag, Pangasinan)
The 17th century ivory, bejewelled image of Our Lady of Manaoag is the foremost religious item of the Church. For its extensive history, the church was proclaimed a “minor basilica,” highest recognition granted by popes for the churches outside of Rome.
Inside the church, the earliest miracles or apparitions of the Lady of Manaoag are depicted in murals. During the Spanish era when mountain tribes burnt down Christian villages, it was said that the Church served as a refuge as it didn’t catch fire even when flaming arrows hit its thatched roof.
Even during the World War II when four bombs were dropped above the Church, only the plaza and facade were destroyed. The last bomb that fell into the sanctuary, miraculously did not explode.
Since then, Our Lady of Manaoag is known as the patroness of the sick, helpless and the needy.
4.) SAN PASCUAL DE BAYLON CHURCH/ OBANDO CHURCH (Obando, Bulacan)
Founded by the Franciscan missionaries, the church is known for its 3-day Obando Fertility Rites. It is celebrated by thousands to commemorate St. Pascual Baylon, St. Clare of Assisi and Our Lady of Salambao.
The celebration is not only limited for couples praying for children. The “Sayaw sa Obando” is also believed to answer prayers for healing, for a bountiful harvest, asking for husband/wife and a prosperous year. The devotees swear that their “panata” have blessed their lives bountifully.
They have associated St. Pascual with prayer to find a life partner, St. Claire for fertility and Our Lady of Salambáo with guidance.
5.) NATIONAL SHRINE AND PARISH OF ST. PADRE PIO ( Sto. Tomas, Batangas)
Months after St. Padre Pio was canonized in 2002, the first of his first-class relics was given to the then proposed parish by Rev. Fr. Cesar Acuin, OFM Cap.
Devotees and parishioners flock to the Church to join the Healing Liturgy. Prayers are offered to heal the sick and the needy as they venerate the first- and second-class relics of St. Padre Pio. The faithfuls are also anointed with the Holy Oil.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Miracles, whether big or small are often widely debated and sometimes controversial. But for devotees and parishioners, faith alone can bring miracles in their lives.
Here we list down 5 churches that are most visited for its healing miracles:
1. THE MINOR BASILICA OF THE BLACK NAZARENE / ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH (Quiapo, Manila, Philippines)
 |
| Devotees have claimed their personal miracles are from the Black Nazarene | Photo Courtesy: Quiapo Church |
The home of the miraculous Black Nazarene, Quiapo church is one of the most famous churches in the country. Every year, hundreds of thousands of faithfuls join the procession of the Black Nazarene also known as Traslacion. Faithfuls share their own stories of miracles and healing granted by the Black Nazarene.
 |
| Hundreds of thousand celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Quiapo Church |
A devotee named Virginia Cantos also recalled how the Black Nazarene miraculously healed her from tongue cancer 36 years ago. She completed nine days of going to mass at Quiapo Church until doctors soon found out her cancer cells were gone. Now at 71 years old, she is a strong devotee of the Black Nazarene.
2.) SIMALA SHRINE / THE MONASTERY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST (Lindogon, Sibonga, Cebu)
 |
| The huge sanctuary is also a monastery to Marian Monks | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Simala Church |
Located in Sibonga Town, Southern Cebu, the Simala Shrine is visited by devotees all over the world. The huge structure also serves as a monastery to the “Mga Monghe ni Maria” or Marian Monks.
But if its facade is already breathtaking, the inside of the huge Church will surely captivate you.
Inside, the place is like a book of miraculous stories. You can find various objects such as thank you notes, crutches of patients, test results from terminally ill and graduation photos encased in glass as “memorabilias” from devotees whose prayers have been answered by the Virgin Mary.
 |
| “Granted” memorabilias from devotees | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Simala Church |
But the most famous miracle known in Simala Church is the “weeping” of the image of the Virgin Mary. Back in 1998 when the place was burdened with dengue, the image of Mary as Lady of Lindogon “shed tear” on her birthday on September 8. Those struck with the illness were miraculously cured.
Marian devotees recalled that the image cried five times since 1998. The latest was in 2016 when the “crying” image of the Lady of Lindogon circulated on social media.
3.) OUR LADY OF MANAOAG CHURCH / NUESTRA SENORA DEL SANTISSIMO ROSARIO DE MANAOAG (Manaoag, Pangasinan)
 |
| Our Lady of Manaoag Church was proclaimed a “minor basilica” | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Our Lady of Manaoag Church |
The 17th century ivory, bejewelled image of Our Lady of Manaoag is the foremost religious item of the Church. For its extensive history, the church was proclaimed a “minor basilica,” highest recognition granted by popes for the churches outside of Rome.
 |
| Our Lady of Manaoag | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Our Lady of Manaoag Church |
Inside the church, the earliest miracles or apparitions of the Lady of Manaoag are depicted in murals. During the Spanish era when mountain tribes burnt down Christian villages, it was said that the Church served as a refuge as it didn’t catch fire even when flaming arrows hit its thatched roof.
Even during the World War II when four bombs were dropped above the Church, only the plaza and facade were destroyed. The last bomb that fell into the sanctuary, miraculously did not explode.
Since then, Our Lady of Manaoag is known as the patroness of the sick, helpless and the needy.
4.) SAN PASCUAL DE BAYLON CHURCH/ OBANDO CHURCH (Obando, Bulacan)
Founded by the Franciscan missionaries, the church is known for its 3-day Obando Fertility Rites. It is celebrated by thousands to commemorate St. Pascual Baylon, St. Clare of Assisi and Our Lady of Salambao.
 |
| St. Pascual Baylon, St. Clare of Assisi and Our Lady of Salambao | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Obando Church |
The celebration is not only limited for couples praying for children. The “Sayaw sa Obando” is also believed to answer prayers for healing, for a bountiful harvest, asking for husband/wife and a prosperous year. The devotees swear that their “panata” have blessed their lives bountifully.
They have associated St. Pascual with prayer to find a life partner, St. Claire for fertility and Our Lady of Salambáo with guidance.
5.) NATIONAL SHRINE AND PARISH OF ST. PADRE PIO ( Sto. Tomas, Batangas)
 |
| The Parish of St. Padre Pio celebrated a Healing Liturgy for the sick and needy | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Parish of St. Padre Pio |
Months after St. Padre Pio was canonized in 2002, the first of his first-class relics was given to the then proposed parish by Rev. Fr. Cesar Acuin, OFM Cap.
Devotees and parishioners flock to the Church to join the Healing Liturgy. Prayers are offered to heal the sick and the needy as they venerate the first- and second-class relics of St. Padre Pio. The faithfuls are also anointed with the Holy Oil.
— Sally, The Summit Express
