Happy Easter Everyone! We rested at home the entire holy week and it was great. We decided to stay at home because Rache is still adjusting to her pregnancy. The only reason we went out to Tagaytay last Saturday was to check out the Chapel on the Hill in Don Bosco Batulao, Nasugbu Batangas for my Kuya’s wedding. Finally, he is getting married and since he is based in the US, we are helping him out with the preparations.
One of the interesting thing that you will see in Chapel on the Hill is the concept of the Labyrinth. Here is an excerpt of the article posted at the entrance of the chapel– Labyrinth – Journey into Inner Peace:
What is it?
The labyrinth is a sacred circle with a single path that leads to its center. Walking the path lends itself to prayer and meditation. The kinesthetic style of prayer is especially valuable during those times when words cannot express the depths or heights of our experience.
History:
The labyrinth has a long history in the Christian tradition During the Middle Ages, it was customary for the faithful to vow to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Since travel at that time was both dangerous and expensive, seven cathedrals throughout Europe where designated as alternate sites where pilgrims could journey to fulfill their vows through walking the labyr.
How to use it: The Four Movements
1. On the Threshold- remove your shoes as an act of humility and letting go and to connect yourself to the earth. A truly spiritual person is very grounded. You may even bend to touch the ground to connect with the energies of the earth and the labyrinth. Bless yourself with holy water as an absolution and purification readying yourself to receive God’s presence. Pause for a while in front of the entrance and say a short prayer to focus and to call for a guide.
2. Journeying In – Try not so suppress the feelings that arises as you walk; instead embrace them. The twist and turns help you to shed layers of attachments, worry, anxiety, biases, distractions that prevent opening up to God’s will. These also enable the mind to stop chattering. The walk sharpens perception and readies the soul. Enjoying the twists and turns can help us to accept the changes in our lives. What may seem like retrogression or being lost is actually a moving on toward the central goal. In this way the journey is reassuring, reminding us that life is full of changes that we should not fear but welcome.
3. The Resting Place – In this open space you may rest sit, breathe and be still. Here receive a blessing through your crown or your feet. It may be the gift of a word, a feeling or just stillness. Open your mind to the experience. This is where something new can take root and blossom, where you can let light into the center of your heart. Notice what you may be too rushed to see; ask a question you normally are afraid to ask; it may be the place to express a hidden beauty, joy or grief. Emptied of distractions you may now have the opportunity to be filled.
4. Journeying Out – When you feel ready to leave the center, give thanks for whatever you have found or received and begin your journey out. you may feel faster, lighter, and funnier than you did on the way in. When you reach the exit pause, give thanks and rest. you may feel the need to express your journey in words, or with images on paper or want to express your experience with another pilgrim.
Prayerful ways of Approaching your Labyrinth Walk
1. Openness
“God what do you want me to know? What do you want to show me?”
2. Intercessory Prayer
“God, I walk to communicate with you about this person, situation, need…”
3. In Honor of a Significant Date or Transition
“Thank you God, that I have new opportunity”
4. Use a Prayer Phrase
Repeat one of God’s names that has a particular meaning for you. (e.g. “Jesus, Jesus…”) or a spiritual word that has significance for you (e.g. “love, love, love…”)
5. Reflection
Reflect on your life or something significant that is concerning you right now. Observe whatever thoughts, impressions or feelings that come- “God, help me to pay attention to what is going on inside and outside of me. “
6. As a new approach to an old problem
“God, I need to talk with you and gain new insight or commitment about this situation…”
7. Walking with a Question that is happening to you
Identify a central question in your life. Walk with that question in your mind and heart. “God, I am wondering what I need to do next in my life… what input do you have? Or repeat as you walk, ” What is my next step? Or if you are unsure of the question use, What do I seek?”
The Labyrinth invites us to consider how intricately we are fashioned – how God continues to knit us, continues to hold us in a loving gaze, continues to be intricately involved in our ongoing fashioning. The labyrinth is a path to connect us to the still small voice, the sacred within ourselves.
The Labyrinth – The Journey to Inner Peace
Chapel on The Hill
Don Bosco, Batulao, Batangas.
Directions:
Drive past Tagaytay, all the way until you see the Welcome Nasugbu arc. After the arc, turn left where you will be greeted with the main gate of the Batulao area. Chapel on the Hill is before Caleruega Chapel.
We went to this chapel on Maundy Thursday. It was my first time there, even though it’s quite near our house. I found it a very nice chapel. I liked how they put the stations of the cross on the path outside, as well as the tasteful decor inside the chapel itself. I didn’t notice the labyrinth, though, because the chapel was filled with chairs for the churchgoers. The only downside was, it was too full to sit inside where it was warm, so we were forced to sit outside where it was freezing. My nephew learned the meaning of “dilemma” when he brought this situation up. 🙂
My wife and I got married at Chapel on the Hill. It was a lovely wedding. The Chapel is quite magical at night. Hope your kuya enjoys his wedding just as much as we did.
We had our high school retreat at Don Bosco Batulao. The place was so quiet and the scenery was amazing. We thought the Labyrinth was very interesting. I’d love to return to Don Bosco with my friends one day. Congratulations to your Kuya.
I visit there so often since I had my retreat there in high school. The resident priests are good friends but then I lost contact with them for awhile, some had transferred to other post. It is indeed freezing during the nights, it’s a higher point that the rest of Tagaytay(the priests said so). Nice, solemn place. I will visit again soon when I will be going to Nasugbu this weekend. By the way, is your Kuya’s wedding officiating priest from there?
hi anton! before, my fiance and i wanted to get married at calerruega but as soon as we saw chapel on the hill a few years ago we changed our mind and knew this is the one 🙂 congratulations to your kuya!
hi anton! i was married in chapel on the hill. the serenity and simplicity of the place won it for us. both things that appealed to my husband and i when we were looking for a church. he’s not catholic (anglican siya), so the fact that the chapel wasn’t overly “catholic” was perfect. they were really easy to work with in terms of wedding preps, which is a bonus. best of luck with the hunt for a venue!
hi anton I remember I read from your blog way back , your brother post about his Frances Gloria Regression Experience. So has it became a reality? I’m so thrilled!
Had my 4th year high school retreat there. I managed to return there a couple of years ago for a training seminar. It’s really a very nice place for everything, especially a wedding. Congratulations to your Kuya. Ãœ
Hello Mr. Anton!
I would just like to commend your AWESOME blog and most especially the one trait I have come to admire about you the — You are such a prayerful and faithful person who has truly been blessed with a good heart. It is amazing amidst all the materialism this world has come to embrace, there are still people out there like you who can be a firm testimony that CHIRST is still the ultimate meaning of our existence.
May the Good Lord continue to shower His blessings to you and your family. May Mama Mary keep you safe body and soul!
~ Grey =)
btw, i have been to Don Bosco Chapel in Batulao few years back. Would be meaning to visit soon as I come home to Philippines this year. I the place has wonderfully changed since then.
your wife pregnant pala. who’s your ob and where do you plan to deliver ? just surveying for my sister
if u want to visit another labyrinth, there is one at the heart of Metro Manila. It’s inside the RVM convent in San Juan(N Domingo). It’s near the Magnolia ice cream plant in Aurora. It’s situated in their garden. You may go there for prayer.
hi there. this is really not a comment but a question rather… how do i get to the chapel on the hilltop if i’ll ride a public transporation? tnx!
hi..ive been there during our retreat and the place is really nice..it’s really peaceful up there..anyway..have you visited the church at the end of that road..oh i forgot the name..bsta the next church..its really nice to get married there..well that’s my dream wedding..haha =) and thanks pla for the information sa trinoma..coz me and my boyfriend are looking for a good resto there..taga las pinas kasi..haha and belated happy birthday!!
hi anton,
hi, im currently looking for a church for our wedding this comming august, thanks to you, the search was easier with the great blogs and pictures you’ve posted. But i was wondering, would possibly know how much it would cost for a wedding ceremony? would you possible have their rates…does anybody know? thank you…
thank you,
cheryl
hi anton….nice page you’ve got here. do you have the contact number of the chapel? i’d like to make a reservation for my upcoming wedding…tnx 🙂
Hi anton,
Thanks for the post about the chapel of the hill. The last time I was in don bosco batulao was during my last retreat in college in don bosco mandaluyong. It was under construction way back then. I would love to go back and visit and meet again the Salesians in the place who are our friends forever as Bosconians. Thanks for the wonderful posting and indeed the Chapel on the Hill is one of the beautiful chapels around, of course don’t forget the caleruega chapel which is just beside don bosco batulao under the Dominicans… hehe.
hi…the site was just sent to me by a friend coz i’ve been wanting to see the place…i know someone who’ll get married on this chapel…so i just i have to say that it’s a perfect choice for them…i promise my self that as soon as i get to contract for my work, ‘ll visit calaruega and chapel on the hill…thanks for exploring the world for us…
….i come from families whose relatives in laws are mostly nuns priests some station in vatican city in rome and relatives of my relatives are love by them…..i do embrace all other legitimate decent religions coz i believe that non catholics are also-mmbers of humanities who practice ‘civility’…..but some church has spooky way of decorating churches i forgive the catholic ‘gay’ o homosexual scandals around the globe in u.s. in particular even some priests who are too political badmouthing to the extreme which i do not find helpful as ‘messenger’ of holy father and son but ‘behaving’ more like a hitman for catholics instead of putting us alltogether as one big human families but with diff.spices for a ‘better’ flavor fun filled world full of strangers lol….
hi anton, do you have the contact info of Chapel on the Hill? Thanks!
hi, would you happen to have the contact number for Chapel on the Hill, I would really appreciate it you could email it to me ASAP. Thanks so much…
Hey Anton,
I really appreciate your efforts to post this. This place, in all of the Philippines is the most solemn for me. The last time I was there was during my high school years during a retreat. It was there when I really, really learned that God is everywhere and he speaks to us in many different ways. I’m glad your brother is getting married at the Chapel Of the Hill. In the very near future, I may follow suit. Thanks again and congratulations to your brother!
stayed there last july 2-4 for our retreat… i really love the place… congrats to your brother, =) A VERY SPECIAL PLACE FOR A SPECIAL DAY IN OUR LIVES
wow so nice in mind tlga ang mga tanawin
lalo na c god…….
i love god tlga cya ang buhay ko
thnx nga pla sa nag lagay ng pictures na yan
kinuha ko nlagay ko sa friendster ko…..hehehehehe
ganda kasi eh
view nyo nlng friendster ko
elmery_72@yahoo.com
thnx ulit ha
muahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
wow so nice in mind tlga ang mga tanawin
lalo na c god…….
i love god tlga cya ang buhay ko
thnx nga pla sa nag lagay ng pictures na yan
kinuha ko nlagay ko sa friendster ko…..hehehehehe
ganda kasi eh
view nyo nlng friendster ko
elmery_72@yahoo.com
thnx ulit ha
muahhhhhhhhhhhhhh