Mendiola, Manila

Manila Abbey

A Tapestry of History and Spiritual Reverence

PUBLISHED December 4, 2016

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

Through its rich history and ongoing contributions, Our Lady of Montserrat Abbey remains a cherished institution in Manila. It bridges centuries of faith, education, and cultural heritage, maintaining its role as a cornerstone of the community and a symbol of enduring spiritual and educational values.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Manila Abbey with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Manila Abbey. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Located on Mendiola Street in the heart of Manila, the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, commonly known as Manila Abbey, is a significant spiritual and historical landmark. Founded in 1895 by Spanish Benedictine monks during the twilight of the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines, the Abbey stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Spanish religious influence in the archipelago.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

In the 19th century, Spain’s anti-clerical governments enacted policies to suppress monastic communities, either closing them outright or preventing them from accepting new members. This was intended to let these communities gradually die out. However, exceptions were made for monasteries willing to establish missions in remote areas of Spain’s former empire, such as the Philippines. Consequently, the ancient Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat near Barcelona decided to establish a mission in Manila. This mission aimed to adopt the agrarian lifestyle promoted by the newly formed Subiaco Congregation and to provide pastoral care to the local population. On September 12, 1895, eight choir monks and six lay brothers, led by Dom José Deas y Villar, arrived in Manila. After being hosted by the local Jesuit community, they secured property for their new mission.

Impact of American Occupation

The American occupation of the Philippines, which began in 1898 during the Spanish–American War, dramatically altered the monastery’s situation. The loss of financial support from the Spanish crown left the newly established community in a precarious position. To counteract the influence of Protestant missionaries who arrived with the American administration and to secure their own future, the monks chose to focus on education. On June 17, 1901, they opened San Beda College on Arlegui Street, named after the great English Benedictine scholar and saint, the Venerable Bede. The college offered elementary, secondary, and initial university studies, with graduates earning either a Bachelor of Arts degree or a diploma in business. By 1906, the college was accredited and affiliated with the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas.

As the monastery grounds became overcrowded, the monks acquired land on Mendiola Street. In 1909, they entrusted the pastoral care of the region to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from the Netherlands and relocated to their current site, expanding the property in 1918. The cornerstone of the abbey church was laid on February 15, 1925, and the church was completed and consecrated on January 13, 1926, to the Infant of Prague.

Architectural and Artistic Features

The abbey church, designed with a Neo-Gothic exterior and a Neo-Baroque interior, reflects a blend of traditional and contemporary influences. The interior was painted by Dom Lesmes López and Brother Salvador Alberich from Spain between 1931 and 1939. Dom Lesmes López’s works include elaborate paintings on the vaulted ceiling of the nave, featuring 16 allegories of virtues, theology, and the church. The sanctuary is adorned with “The Apotheosis of the Holy Name of Jesus,” and the church’s walls display eight panels depicting the Nativity of the Lord. Additionally, paintings of the Stations of the Cross are incorporated into the church’s interior design.

In the altar retablo, a statue of the Holy Infant of Prague is enshrined in a beautifully carved cedar wood retablo, adding to the church’s spiritual and artistic significance. In 2010, Aelred Nilo designed a final mural to complete the back wall of the nave. This mural, executed by the Italian painter Francesco Giannini on 126 square meters of jute canvas, depicts the history of the present congregation, alongside the resurrected Christ, various saints, and other religious figures, some of which are based on real-life photographs.

Historical Marker

In 1939, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines installed a marker at the Abbey, serving as a graceful tribute to its storied past. This marker stands as a testament to the rich historical heritage of the Philippines and the Abbey’s enduring legacy.

Legacy and Influence

Through its rich history and ongoing contributions, Our Lady of Montserrat Abbey remains a cherished institution in Manila. It bridges centuries of faith, education, and cultural heritage, maintaining its role as a cornerstone of the community and a symbol of enduring spiritual and educational values.

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Impact of American Occupation

Architectural and Artistic Features

Historical Marker

Legacy and Influence

LOCATIONS PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE

CHURCHES FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

LOCATIONS
PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE

CHURCHES
FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS &
EVENTS