Every Sunday, we try to go to different churches. That’s cool for my nephew who needs to have the priest or a lay minister sign his attendance sheet. Yes, there is such thing for Catholic schools.
During my time, it was just one church for me, for four years.
Last week, we were in an old church in Rizal. This week, we visited one in Marikina. They say there are at least five churches you can go here especially on your Visita Iglesia. There is also this list from Preview about the churches in Marikina for your dream wedding.
When I looked up Marikina church, the Our Lady of the Abandoned was the one that popped up so this was where I took my fambam (family).
What is interesting about this is it’s name. At the facade, itreads: Dambana ng Ina ng Walang Mag-ampon.
Which in my head is loosely translated to Shrine of the Mother of those Who Won’t be Adopted.
I looked up the official name of this church, you know the long version, and it is actually: Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish Church.
So “those who won’t be adopted” is equals to “abandoned.”
That’s pretty sad.
When you are inside, instead of the usual, the crucified Christ shares the with the Madonna and the Child.
So the reason why this is the place for the abandoned is because the Madonna and Child is enshrined here. This idol here is the second iteration though, the first one was burnt in 1898 war.
Inside, I was surprised to see how traditional it was. I thought Marikina will have newer churches but this is surprisingly still… old school.
From the pillars to the aisle to the altar, everything look very preserved.
This altar has a Latin phrase that I’ve only seen here. When I looked it up, I learned that it’s a Christian hymn penned by a German monk, archbishop.
This church is full of surprises, I thought. Plus, the parking is so huge.
After the mass and the reflection on why this church is named so, I spun the perspective. Maybe it was not necessarily sad. It is hopeful. It shows that the forsaken are still not forgotten. That Mother Mary and child Jesus are someone you can turn to when all is lost to you.
So with this better thought swimming on my head, we proceeded to explore the area some more. We dropped by a shoe museum, a shoe store, and bought some kakanin (rice cakes).
It’s too bad, we weren’t able to go around the other heritage spots of Marikina, the shoe capital of the Philippines. Oh well, so now, I have a reason to go back and write some more about it.
Date last visited: July 2017
Take a Bite Out of Life 