THE BEAUTY OF

Caysasay Shrine

PUBLISHED April 6, 2007

PHOTOGRAPHY and WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

The Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay is a chapel in a small barangay of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas. It is home to an image of Our Lady of Caysasay whose feast day is celebrated every December 8. This image, which depicts the Immaculate Conception and was found in 1603 by a man fishing in the Pansipit River, is believed to be one of the oldest religious icons in our country. It was canonically crowned on December 8th 1954 and later given the title “Queen of Archdiocese of Lipa”.

One characteristic feature of this church was the use of coral stones, which were hewn into blocks and then assembled to make this structure.

The first church was built in 1611 by Chinese believers, who used light materials to construct it. It was constructed near the river where Mary’s image had been found and an arch made of coral stone with bas reliefs representing the virgin herself were also built after.

In 1620, Augustinian friars built a shrine on the location where many people had reported seeing apparitions of Mary. But it wasn’t until 1639 that a new church built from coral stone was constructed, under direct supervision by Fr. Alonso Rodriguez, minister of Taal. The building served as perpetual shrine for the Virgin Mary thereon forth.

One characteristic feature of this church was the use of coral stones, which were hewn into blocks and then assembled to make this structure.

The first church was built in 1611 by Chinese believers, who used light materials to construct it. It was constructed near the river where Mary’s image had been found and an arch made of coral stone with bas reliefs representing the virgin herself were also built after.

In 1620, Augustinian friars built a shrine on the location where many people had reported seeing apparitions of Mary. But it wasn’t until 1639 that a new church built from coral stone was constructed, under direct supervision by Fr. Alonso Rodriguez, minister of Taal. The building served as perpetual shrine for the Virgin Mary thereon forth.

The chapel measures about 160 feet long and 33 feet wide. A stairwell leading to the Virgin’s room in a small sacristy behind and above the main altar allowed believers a closer connection with her presence.

The earthquake of December 1852 was so powerful that it caused the walls of the church to crack and its towers to collapse. Father Celestino Mayordomo initiated the reconstruction, which was completed in 1856 with the twin towers rebuilt and stone fences added around chapel grounds.

In 1867, another earthquake damaged the shrine. Father Marcos Anton oversaw repairs and installed a new altar and rail made of iron. The Italian Cesar Alberoni decorated the sanctuary’s interior. In 1880, an organ was bought from famous Spanish organist Don Doroteo Otorelin under Father Agapito Aparicio’s supervision. Fortunately, the earthquake of 1880 did not damage the sanctuary significantly.

One of the most notable structures leading up to the shrine is a set of 125 granite steps called San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps or Hagdan-hagdan. Originally made from adobe stones in 1850, but later replaced by Fr. Mayordomo with granite. These stairs lead up to its center and are an important part of all feasts involving processions through town.

One interesting place to visit in the area is the Sta. Lucia Wells, a spring-fed well where two women allegedly saw the reflection image of the Virgin Mary—since then, many have attested that its waters possess miraculous healing powers. The coral stone arch with a bas relief image of the virgin that was built early in 1600 still stands today.

During the past few centuries, pilgrims from all over the country visited this church because of its popularity and rich history. It is now one of the most visited churches in the country today.

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