*Via Dolorosa Grotto -- The grotto on a hill features on top of it a 50-foot statue of the Risen Christ, similar to that in Brazil. The hill has more than 300 steps that can be easily climbed by those youthful enough with strong legs to complete in a few minutes, or climbed in stages by those with very strong determination and faith to achieve, regardless of length of time, difficulty, and weather condition. The stairs feature the stations of the cross starting from the Last Supper and ending with Christ’s Resurrection.
*Healing Church -- located near the base of the hill is a church where Fr. Faller conducts his scheduled healing masses. Before the pandemic, thousands of people visit and attend this church in the hope of getting healed or pray for the healing of their loved ones who couldn’t travel to the place in person. Fr. Faller may also attend to special healing sessions as per request of those needing such private calls.
The shrine’s images and concrete features were all inspired by the Holy Bible. Noah’s Ark, for example, looks like a big ship/ark as described in the scriptures, but with an added offering. It serves as a transitory resting place for people who came from afar and need a place to stay for a day or more.
The Garden of Eden has life-size images of Adam and Eve, amid a forest-like surrounding that emits that feeling of calm, peace, and love. The Holy Family Park likewise invites people, especially families, to get together and enjoy each other’s company while in a spiritual journey. Images of Mother Mary around the shrine remind people to remain faithful to Mother Mary’s teachings and to believe strongly that her intercession bears fruit to those who are devoted to her.
The place has become a tourist destination as well, but people don’t forget the real purpose for which the shrine was built. Catholics and other denominations come to pray and strengthen their spiritual beliefs in Christianity.
Editor’s Note:
I travelled to this shrine in June of this year, and I am a witness to the magnificence and extraordinary attraction of the place that continuously amaze locals and foreigners as well. More than the attraction to the physical features of “Kamay ni Hesus,” I was truly enveloped with an unexplained emotional outburst of happiness and serenity not in a normal sense. There is really something unusual and heavenly when one’s heart is open for a spiritual awakening. Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, we should accept that there is one God (whatever we call His name), and with faith in our hearts, we can be healed by a special person He has chosen to become His hand to heal us.
