The Divine Mercy Shrine is all you need to meditate, relax, and at the same time create bonding moments with family. I highly recommend this place! You can also put this on your bucket list for your trip for the Holy Week.
I have visited the Divine Mercy Shrine just once during one of my trips in Cagayan de Oro City just before the pandemic, but I have read few articles about this place online. Actually, it is not located right in the city center but a few minutes away from the neighboring city of El Salvador in Misamis Oriental.
The Divine Mercy Shrine is a Catholic pilgrimage site and features a 15.24 meters (50 feet) statue of the Divine Mercy Jesus. One of the tallest of its kind across the world, it’s really an enormous statue!
The statue was completed in 2008 and set on a nine-hectare land that was bought for a nominal amount, and also with the cooperation from the devotees that gave their donations for the building of the statue. After it has been constructed, it already caught the attention of devotees around the neighboring places and thereafter became another popular tourist destination in Mindanao.
To reach the ground where the statue stands, I had to climb the 200 steps of stairs. Obviously, it’s exhausting for some travelers but mostly don’t mind. Exhausting it may be but the overlooking view of the sea and the expansive 360-degree view awaiting is worth the effort.
The entrance is absolutely FREE. However, you can offer a donation for the upkeep and maintenance of the place.
Please be mindful of your attire when you visit the shrine as strict rules on clothes are implemented – women in pants are not allowed to enter the shrine. A piece of cloth that serves as a dress/skirt is available and you don’t have to pay for it.
When I get too occupied with work, it’s feels like time is always at its fast pace. In just a glimpse, I need to leave the ship in a matter of weeks or shall I mention in 3 months, get back home and be together with the kids.
So before I get too busy again, let me share here this go-to place I visited during one of my trips to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental. Cagayan de Oro City is about three to four hours drive from home—well, technically, it’s three hours if I am in my best driving mode and four hours minimum if not. 😊
