“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee” (Luke 1:28, Bible)
The Simala shrine is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines. The shrine was built in 1998 by Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration from Pampanga. Simala is also known as the Lady of Lindogon Shrine and the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist.
What is its Cultural Significance?
The sacred shrine hosts the image of Our Lady of Lindogon, which is believed to be miraculous by its devotees. There have been reports on the shedding of tears and it was credited with the healing of those afflicted by dengue in 1998. The image has shed tears on four more occasions, the latest being on September 8, 2016.
The image was originally assigned as that of Our Lady of Fatima and was donated to the Marian Monks by Terry Brooks from Pampanga. The construction of the site was believed to be a realization of the prediction by Ingko Niyong Villamor that the hills of Lindogon will become holy once a miraculous white lady reigns in place.
Why is the Virgin Mary Important in Roman Catholicism?
Our devotion to Mary is not just a sentimental attachment or a cultural practice but a deeply rooted aspect of Catholic theology and spirituality. One of the most fundamental reasons why Mary is important to Catholics is her role as the Mother of Jesus Christ who is considered the Son of God. Mary has a unique relationship with Jesus and her importance is inseparable. By choosing to become human and be born of a woman, God showed that he values human life and desires to be intimately involved in the world.
Another important aspect of Mary’s role in the Catholic faith is her power to intercede in our prayers. Catholics believe that Mary can intercede on their behalf and bring their prayers to Jesus. This belief is based on the idea that Mary is the mother of Jesus and she has a special relationship with Him and can also ask for favors. Catholics therefore pray to Mary to ask for help during troubling times or illnesses.
We expressed our devotion to Mother Mary in many ways in the Catholic faith. A few of these popular practices are the Rosary, the Angelus, and the Immaculate Heart. The rosary is a prayer that involves a lot of meditating on various mysteries of the lives of Jesus and Mary. The Angelus is a prayer that is recited three times a day and focuses on the annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she will bear a son. The Immaculate Heart is a devotional concept that relies on the love and purity of Mary’s heart.
