An Inner Peace Healing Center. Tierra de Maria
Haven Of Meditation and Enrichment. Shrouded with mist in the early dawn and enveloped by the cool breeze of upland winds, Tagaytay nestles high enough to be a balmy refuge from the noise of crowded days. It is here where Tierra de Maria established a piece of heaven for the weary and the wandering soul: Mama Mary’s sanctuary for the pilgrim searching
for peace of heart. On the main Calamba road, fronting the Development Academy of the Philippines, before the Tagaytay Picnic Grove, Tierra de Maria is a haven where the 50-foot majestic image of Mary, Mother of God. With her arms outstretched in welcome, beckoning all to come, for thanksgiving, prayers and healing of body, mind and spirit. The gates are open from eight in the morning till six in the evening. One climbs a short elevated incline which is lined on the right side approach with a garden wall-vine of murals depicting the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the holy rosary, “The life of Jesus”, and the Stations of the Cross, the suffering
Immediately fronting the image of Mama Mary is a “wishing” deep well symbolic of the waters of the “Wedding at Cana” where our Lord was asked to change water into the finest wine even if it was not yet His time to perform miracles; a reminder to all who journey to Tierra de Maria that through the intercession of Mama Mary, Jesus will perform miracles at her behest. Candles may be lighted with the prayer-wishes offered as one moves from the well towards the Haven for Meditation and Enrichment, the Inner Peace Healing Center. At the threshold, one is greeted by hymns of celestial calmness and the surreal sense actually being in the holy presence of the crucified Christ in His majestic larger-than-life wooden figure. A gaping wound by His heart is where one’s finger can feel the beating of His love, unifying His suffering with that of the personal pains that one prays for deliverance. On the crucified Christ’s right is the life-size statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron of our island-country, whose miraculous intercessions continue to be prayed for, even as she urges us to continue praying the rosary and the Hail Mary, especially, for the salvation of humankind and peace throughout the world. Her folded hands are warm and almost pulsating from the thousands of palms that have enclosed them in supplication and in tears. No prayer is ever left un-answered. From the main altar, one moves towards the life-size of Our Lady of Manaoag and the other images of Mama Mary and her various attributes, each one reflective of the distant places where her apparitions and miracles have been recorded and continue to be experienced. Surrounding this haven of meditation are tiles with printed pictures and names of Mama Mary’s family plastered like magnificent murals on the wall. And so is it here, in Tierra de Maria where Mama Mary’s universal presence enfolds all who come, whether as a simple traveler or a returning pilgrim devotee. A silent space before the turn towards the same entrance and exit door, is a nondescript “Forgiveness Corner” where the most difficult acts of asking, receiving and giving forgiveness are un-loaded in all humility. The Cross under which one kneels to unload the baggage of hurts simulates the hanging of the crutches at the grotto of Lourdes, a gesture of instant healing, an offering of absolute contrition, as in Jesus’ admonition: “You are healed. Go and sin no more!”
Before leaving the chapel, where first Saturday masses are held every three o’clock in the afternoon, a basket-full of God’s words contain the wisdom of answers for petitions, questions and praises of thanks. Every hand that picks a piece of paper is guided by the faith contained within its soul. The second floor is a pathway of liturgical calendars of the saints being honored for each day. The persons and families who made special offerings for their birthdays have their names inscribed on the tiles of the saints of that day and they are enrolled in perpetual prayers for their personal intentions. One flight up and on the left side of the third floor is the Rosary Garden of the Risen Christ, a special place for meditation. A therapeutic Fish Spa is an added feature, designed for the unique experience of health rejuvenation while contemplating on the mysteries of the rosary wafting subliminally through the sound system. On the other side of this floor is Mama Mary’s Angels’ Meditation Garden surrounded by fruit-bearing trees and fragrantly scented shrubs. Figurines of different angels are simply reminders of the heavenly guardians of our lives. An intimate barako coffee bar adds to the ambiance of relaxation and bonding, or for singular meditation moments. On the third floor before ascending, the hand of 50-foot image of Mary, Mother of God can be touched and her face viewed close-up. Tactile prayers enhance the soul towards a more meaningful communion with the Lord. The top, fourth floor is an aviary. A variety of birds, the open sky, the view of the world famous Taal Volcano below are nature’s pieces of paradise on earth. It is the pilgrim’s piece of heaven to be experienced in stillness and silence…and as one breathes out a prayer to the celestial heights, listen with your heart, Mama Mary whispers her words to your soul. Tierra de Maria is a haven for the searching soul. Tierra de Maria is a refuge for the weary traveler. Tierra de Maria is a sanctuary of peace. Tierra de Maria is a threshold for healing. Tierra de Maria, the land of Mary is a spiritual experience…your piece of heaven on earth….your home of Jesus.
