LEXICAL CROWN: mary help of christians house of spirituality retreat house

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Thursday, May 14, 2020

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS HOUSE OF SPIRITUALITY RETREAT HOUSE

Location: Don Bosco Batulao, Brgy. Cahil, Calaca, Batangas, Philippines

The serene retreat house of the Mary Help of Christians House of Spirituality
This is being managed by the Salesian Community of Don Bosco known as the Chapel on the Hill. This is specifically a place for retreats, recollections and other spiritual experiences with priests as facilitators, confessors, counsellors and spiritual directors. It offers services for group and individual retreats/spiritual direction and directed retreat.

Main entrance of this facility

I used to pass by here when I climb Mount Batulao but I happened to stay here for a recollection as I am one of the members of the Commentators and Lectors League (CALL) and currently its president of our parish priest in Mandaluyong.

Its peaceful and solemn chapel

Retreat houses are not new to me since I had worked with the RVM Congregation on its main compound situated along N. Domingo Street, Quezon City. Its huge compound houses the Betania Retreat House.

A part of the main lobby

Before our recollection, we were given a chance to tour around where I did it alone. I wanted to take photos intended for this travel blog. I avoided having companion because they would just be asking me to capture them for their photos, though I did some group photos during the actual recollection and before we left the place.

Approaching the main building

The place is spacious, with green spaces good for meditation. Based on the brochure I've got, it has the following facilities and amenities:

1. 50 Single Rooms with private bath

2. 2 Dormitories for 70 people with shower room

3. Multi-media Room

4. Conference halls

5. Dining Hall

6. Big Chapel

7. Community Chapel

8. Prayer Room

9. Library

10. Hermitage Meditation Camp

11. Hillside Station of the Cross

12. Holy Family Garden

13. Fatima Trellis

14. St. Joseph Garden

15. Jubilee Garden

The Fatima Trellis with the background of Mount Batulao

I was so amazed when I went to the Fatima Trellis because I have seen at a distance my favorite work-out climb mountain, Mount Batulao. If this is the place I will stay for a recollection or retreat, I will really be able to meditate well. It is very silent. What you will hear is the chirping of the birds.

A closer view of Mount Batulao

The brochure I took, also showed the following information if you want to stay here for a retreat or recollection for overnight or two.

The 70 pax capacity for the 2 dormitories mentioned above is broken down as follows:

Dormitory 1

* Single Bed

* 30 pax occupancy with its own shower and bathroom

Dormitory 2

* Double-deck bed

* 6 pax occupancy with its own shower and bathrooms

Rooms No. 1 and 2

* Double-deck bed with 4 pax occupancy each with its own shower and bathrooms (shared)

Rooms No. 3 and 4

* Double-deck bed with 8 pax occupancy each with its own shower and bathroom (shared)

Narrow concrete stairs down a garden

From the brochure again, I learned that they accommodate special weddings. I am sure the occasion will really be solemn and special as the place is so private. The Chapel on the Hill where the wedding will be held has a circular floor plan and is so calming not only for its location but because of what you see through its glass windows.

Part of the main lobby of the main building

By the way, during the recollection, they serve delicious meals snacks and meals. They have their own chef and they also run a bakery where its income is used to support financially selected students for their studies. Likewise, the place also sells souvenirs and religious articles.

A closer glimpse of the main lobby with the statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus

One thing that you should be ready of, their conference rooms or function hall for recollection is very, very cold. Thus, you need to equip yourself with a thick clothing to warm you up from the freezing cold airconditioning unit.