SIBONGA,SIMALA SHRINE :
The beginning and the end ,
Your graces shower like rain,
and promises that will never be broken ,
forever my heart will speak of Your name,
Mary our beloved mother ,
stays with me through a prayer,
bring my heart's desires and burdens together,
To our beloved Father,
When Frater Martin came, Monsignortomas planned to build a monastery for the monks. With the help and guidance of some nuns, their search led to a dry and unproductive hill in Lindogon. Many people say that only miracles can make plants and trees grow in the area, the reason why the owner of this land sold it with at a very low price.
Monsignortomas decided to build a temporary house made of bamboo and coconut leaves (nipa). Because of the land's location, it’s really hot during the day and very cold during the night. Monks believe that the food offered by the locals is a gift from God. Days and weeks passed, they still strive for food and living difficulty in their temporary home.
This is not the only situation and challenges faced by the monks. The monks have been criticized and belittled by certain locals. People are intimidated by their presence in the area and sometimes would throw coins at the monks as they pass by. Despite all of this, the monks stay humble and generous.
Due to their situation, the monks decided to use their land to plant trees. A week later, through their unending faith with the Virgin Mary and unlimited effort, the trees grew quickly. The monks could not believe what they were seeing and it even astonished the local people.
After a month El Niño (Wikipedia Article) occurred and the plants grew thin and weakened. Dengue Malady (Wikipedia Article) spread and several children living in the lower portion of monks' area died while others were infected. Due to lack of money, parents can’t afford to bring them to the hospital.
Frater Martin informed them that the sacrifice offered by his ancestors would drive the evil spirits away. That very evening, they started the penitential walk with a small number of people joining the procession. On the third evening, they smelled the fragrance of fresh flowers which had spread all over the land.
The area was rid of insects and mosquitoes and the children suffering from Dengue Malady were healed. The people also witnessed blooming of fresh flowers which soon covered the hills. From that time, because of the miraculous events, crowds of people from different parts of the country came to visited the place and later it became the “White Lady Sanctuary” known as the “Virgin Mary”.
Monks continue to build and develop the hills. Today the area possesses beauty and appeal, particularly the shrine of the Virgin Mary known as the Monastery of Holy Eucharist or “Birhen ng Simala”. Most of Cebuano (Wikipedia Article) devotees used to visit the place for thanksgiving and for divine intervention. Nowadays, the Monastery is well-known worldwide for the miracles made by the Virgin Mary.
source https://www.thousandwonders.net/Simala-Lindogon+Church+Sibonga
photo taken< Sibonga CEBU, PHILIPPINES