Life is a pilgrimage. The wise man does not rest by the roadside inns. He marches direct to the illimitable domain of eternal bliss, his ultimate destination. Swami Sivananda

The Divine Mercy Shrine, a Catholic monument in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental in the Philippines, is a 50-foot statue considered to be the biggest in Asia. It serves as the main feature of Divine Mercy Hills, a pilgrimage site built on a nine-hectare land overlooking Macajalar Bay.

In order to reach the statue, one has to trudge several flights of stairs. (one that is similar to Kamay ni Hesus in Quezon province, only that this one is shorter). Make sure you have enough water to hydrate yourself as it can be really warm during the day.

Today, thousands of Divine Mercy devotees come to this sacred site, especially during the Holy Week. It has become a top destination for pilgrims all over the country. Masses are held daily at the shrine’s chapel.

Please be mindful that visiting such sacred place require proper attire. Visitors are not allowed to wear shorts and other revealing clothes. In the event that you are wearing one, you will be asked to cover yourselves with a blue cloth provided by the shrine administrators.

Have you been to this pilgrimage site before? If so, how was your experience?

My visit to the Divine Mercy Shrine was part of my Northern Mindanao trip in April of 2014.

Don’t be a wasted soul, be Juanderlust. Take it easy everyJuan.