It was designed based on what the area can provide, given the landscape, for small group of 70 people or less. All around the Shrine are limestone boulders and trees, and it is very near the Ibulao River that drains to the Magat Dam. The Shrine and its facilities were built during the Pandemic time from July 2019 to May 2022 with the help of generous Catholic benefactors – Dra. Mercedes Oliver (+2
021), Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe (Temporalities Office and Ifugao Catholic Schools), Missio Aachen, Ms. Jovita Morena Luglug, Mr. John Pumihic, Archbishop Rolando Tirona, and Archbishop Socrates Villegas. Not to be outdone even during pandemic times, Ifugao Kape, the social enterprise established by Bishop Valentin Dimoc in 2012 at Barangay Tungngod, Lagawe, donated significantly for the construction of the Shrine and its facilities. Service facilities of the Divine Mercy Shrine are available: parking space, clean comfort rooms, eatery area for snacks and meals (kitchen, bakery, coffeeshop, gazebo and kubo), Bayanihan Store where local food products and religious items are being sold, Hermitage or Solitude House for individual retreat, confessional room, and Shrine office. With the generosity of benefactors and donors, the pandemic situation was not a hindrance to provide a place for kindled joy, for renewed witnessing, and of encounter with the merciful love of God. The Divine Mercy Shrine did not follow the usual architectural design of a Church. It is a unique place among all Shrines because it was built by following the natural contour and arrangement of the huge limestones. It is located within a forest, at the foot of a rocky mountain, which is called Nunkitumman. Upon seeing the place, some people reacted and said that the Shrine can be named as “Laudato Si’ Divine Mercy Shrine” since one feels being closer to nature. One can see trees around through the glass windows and can hear the ambiance of a flowing water inside the Shrine. It has a maximum capacity of only 70 seats inside (including the choir loft) and designed for small groups based on the naturally available space. Therefore, each group is given a 25-minute duration for prayer if there are groups waiting for their turn. As for those who need to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they can stay longer in a place provided for them. The Divine Mercy Shrine was built as a Diocesan Shrine in order to promote trust in the merciful love of God and to provide a unique place for devotees to visit and deepen their spirituality. The spiritual life being guided and formed by the merciful love of God is what we need in the 21st century. Hence, during the Jubilee Year 2000, the well-loved Pope John Paul II canonized the promoter of the devotion, Sister Faustina Kowalska, as Saint and institutionalized liturgically the second week of Easter as the Divine Mercy Sunday. The Shrine is for deepening spiritual life, and it is where the Divine Mercy chaplet is being prayed in front of the Vilnius image of the Divine Mercy. Repentance and renewal through the forgiveness of sins is the pathway to a more meaningful pilgrimage. To fulfill this, the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be accessed upon request to the Chaplain or any available Priest-on-duty. Welcome Home to the Divine Mercy Shrine. We are joyful to see and serve you. May your pilgrimage bring blessings of healing and renewed spiritual life.
