Make It Davao: Shrine Hills

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Shrine Hills

Shrine Hills, Davao City

Shrine Hills is a widely popular destination for meditation, prayer, or a simple relaxation amid a lush greenery of tall trees, and rich floras and faunas, and well-manicured grass atop a hilly part of the city, and where fresh and clean air abound with a magnificent view of Metro Davao and the Gulf of Davao. It is known for the site of the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague.

Site of the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague

Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague

Shrine Hills has a chapel, and is also a seminary and meditation center for Catholics in Davao. People go there to hear Holy Mass, to pray, meditate, and offer petitions, or simply have quality bonding moments with families, friends or colleagues. It is also a favorite playground for kids.

The Shrine is surrounded by lush greenery of tall trees and manicured grass

Tall Cactus Plants

Tall trees abound at the Shrine

Rich Floras and Faunas

View of SM Davao (Blue Building) from the Shrine

View of Metro Davao with Marco Polo Hotel in the background

View of the blue water of Davao Gulf

Statue of a Saint Joseph carrying the Infant Jesus

Catholic Devotees

Devotees attending the Holy Mass

Perfect place to bond with families and friends

Dabawenyos enjoy a relaxing time with families and friends at the Shrine, and spend a "picnic-like" moment where everyone shares food, good conversation and laughter after a strenuous steep climb to the Shrine to offer prayers and petitions during Holy Week.

A favorite playground for kids

Just outside the fenced wall of the Shrine

A common sight to any churches in the Philippines
where vendors line-up and sell a variety of food outside the Shrine

Ice Cream Vendor

Shrine Hills or "Shrine", as it is fondly called by the locals, will always remain one of my family's favorite spots in Davao City closest to our hearts. Many fond memories transpired in the very cloister of this Holy Ground, and my family and I will always come back and visit the Shrine whenever an opportunity brings us to Davao City.

Let me share with you the Novena prayer to the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, below:

O Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, You have said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your Name that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, you have said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

This prayer is recited at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours in one day. It is used by supplicants with urgent requests that cannot wait for the nine days required for most novenas.

How to get to Shrine Hills

Shrine Hills is located on the hilly part of Broadcast Avenue in Matina and is very accessible to both public and private vehicles, about four kilometers or a 10-minute drive from Downtown Davao City. Many people walk all the way up to the steep incline towards the Shrine particularly on Sundays and during Holy Week on a pilgrim.