As the SVD Farm’s Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor gears up for its second anniversary this July 28, 2023, let us take a moment to look back upon the history of the SVD Farm and its inextricable connection to the Virgin of the Poor. In this retrospective feature, we delve into the rich history and profound significance of the Grotto and Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor.
Since their construction, the Grotto and the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor have become more than mere structures of the Farm. From their humble beginning as a small and unassuming garden shrine, adorned with a simple statue of Mary, the sacred site has evolved into a beacon of tranquility and devotion for pilgrims and visitors alike. Its growth echoes the ever-expanding vision of the SVD Farm as a haven where one may encounter God, nature, and others.
The name of the Grotto and Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor was inspired by the apparition of Mary as Virgin of the Poor to eleven-year-old Mariette Beco in Banneux, Belgium. This apparition of Mary is also known as Our Lady of Banneux (“Notre-Dame de Banneux” in French). (The miraculous spring and the statue of the Virgin of the Poor at Banneux is pictured below.)
In January 15, 1933, the Virgin of the Poor appeared to an eleven-year-old girl named Mariette Beco in a series of apparitions in Banneux, Belgium, the same day as the 24th death anniversary of St. Arnold Janssen, the revered founder of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
During the apparitions, the Blessed Mother, who identified herself as the Virgin of the Poor, conveyed messages of love, compassion, and healing. On two occasions, Mariette was led to a spring, which Mary proclaimed to be reserved for herself and intended to bring comfort to the sick of all nations. This spring became associated with numerous miraculous cures attributed to her intercession, solidifying her role as a healer and comforter for the suffering.
In response to the Virgin of the Poor's request, a small chapel was built in Banneux, becoming a place of pilgrimage and prayer for countless individuals seeking solace and healing. This chapel, like the one at the SVD Farm, serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Virgin of the Poor and her profound impact on the lives of those who encounter her.
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The story of the arrival of the Virgin of the Poor in the Philippines is intertwined with the legacy of SVD. It was Rev. Fr. Joseph Heuwagen, SVD, who brought the first statue of the Virgin of the Poor to the country in 1958. The statue was donated to him during a visit to Banneux.
Fr. Heuwagen recalled that the statue was released by customs in Manila on January 15, the same day as the first apparition of the Blessed Mother as the Virgin of the Poor. In honor of Mary, he also decided to conduct the blessing of the statue on March 2, the last day of the apparition.
Since then, devotion to the Virgin of the Poor was spread by SVD throughout many locations in the country, including the Grotto and Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor at the SVD Farm.
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The decision to name the chapel of the SVD Farm after the Virgin of the Poor, said Fr. Sam, is a testament to how the Farm’s identity is closely tied to the Blessed Mother, to her compassionate intercession and her ability to provide comfort and healing to all who seek her presence.
According to Fr. Sam, his personal devotion to the Virgin of the Poor began as early as during his time as an SVD seminarian. He recalled the many times that he prayed to the Virgin of the Poor in front of her statue at the Divine Word Seminary (DWS) in Tagaytay, which later inspired his decision to name the Farm’s chapel after this title of the Blessed Mother.
Mary's self-identification as one who stands with the poor resonates deeply with the mission and vision of the SVD Farm. In the spirit of devotion to the Virgin of the Poor, the Farm nurtures an atmosphere of peace and serenity, where visitors can find solace and experience spiritual renewal amidst the beauty of nature.
The Virgin of the Poor has been revered by many, her presence a solace to those burdened by life's struggles and hardships. "The Virgin of the Poor is the image that should be adopted by the Church today," said Fr. Sam.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ call, Fr. Sam advocates for the promotion of devotion to the Virgin of the Poor, symbolizing “a Church that is poor and for the poor.” As such, he argues for the SVD Farm as a response to this call, guided by a dedication to embrace the spirit of simplicity and compassion, serving as a refuge for the "poor in spirit" and those carrying "wounded hearts.”.
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The SVD Farm’s garden shrine for the Blessed Mother, known then as the Grotto of Our Lady of the Poor, was built near the current location of the Chapel last January 15, 2023. On the same day, the Farm’s statues of Sts. Arnold Janssen and Joseph Freinademetz were also built.
This was an auspicious day, marking both the feast day of the Virgin of the Poor and the feast day of St. Arnold Janssen. In fact, the apparition of Mary in Banneux on January 15, 1933 was the same day as the 24th death anniversary of SVD founder St. Arnold Janssen.
Central to the beauty and significance of the chapel is the magnificent statue of the Blessed Mother at the Grotto of the Virgin of the Poor, designed by Rev. Fr. Arman Tangi, SsP. Fr. Tangi is known for the Portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as the “Smiling Sacred Heart of Jesus,” at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City.
The grotto was blessed by Rev. Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, President of the SVD Board of Trustees and Provincial Superior of the SVD Philippines Central Province, on January 29, 2021, which also marked the official opening of the SVD Farm for public access. The blessing was a momentous occasion coinciding with the feast of St. Joseph Freinademetz, SVD.
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The construction of the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, knon as Our Lady of the Poor Chapel then, began in March 2021, following the completion of the SVD Cafe. The construction took approximately two months to complete.
The wall-less wooden chapel, measuring 24 feet by 30 feet then, was built under the supervision of Mr. Christian Olivar-Landicho, the SVD Farm General Services Supervisor.
Mr. Landicho shared his thoughts and experiences regarding the construction of the chapel. "Our vision for the chapel was for it to be clean and bright," he said, emphasizing the importance of creating a sacred space that would foster a sense of peace and serenity. He added that prior to the construction of the chapel, he and his fellow workers began working at the SVD Farm by engaging in planting and cleaning activities, laying the foundation for the chapel's construction.
The chapel's construction served a twofold purpose, said Mr. Landicho. Not only did it fulfill the spiritual needs of the community, but it also provided an opportunity for him and his fellow workers to make a living during the pandemic. As many industries faced unprecedented challenges, the construction project became a beacon of hope for these individuals, ensuring their livelihoods and sustaining their families during uncertain times.
Reflecting on the progress made since the chapel's completion two years ago, Mr. Landicho expressed genuine surprise and gratitude at its transformation. "When we built the chapel two years ago, we never imagined it would become what it is today," he shared. The chapel has grown to become a cherished destination, attracting an increasing number of visitors to the SVD Farm and welcoming devout worshippers.
As the farm and the chapel continue to evolve, their beauty flourishes alongside the number of visitors. Mr. Landicho expressed enthusiasm about the growth, stating, "The number of visitors is increasing. In the coming years, we will need to expand it further, especially with the growing number of visitors."
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The unique design of the chapel was drafted by Bro. Mark N. Paglicawan, SVD, who also acted as the foreman during the construction.
The design of the chapel incorporated reclaimed wood, including mahogany and pine from fallen trees in the aftermath of typhoons that struck Cavite and the SVD area during that time. Other materials and tools were donated by generous donors, highlighting the collaborative effort involved in its creation.
Bro. Mark shared his insights and inspirations in an exclusive interview. As the visionary responsible for the chapel's design, he sought to create a place of prayer that would evoke a sense of comfort and belonging. “The idea is to make it a place of prayer where someone would feel like one is just at home,” he said.
The main objective of the chapel, said Bro. Marc, was to make the chapel a sanctuary where visitors would feel as if they were at home while in the presence of God. He explained, "(The chapel) would be a place where people can find solace and peace, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of divine- love."
One of the most striking features of the chapel is its centerpiece, a cross adorned with protruding nails from the top and sides. Bro. Mark shared the thought process behind this unique design element, saying, "While thinking of how I could make the crucifix more special, I saw some extra nails around the area where the carpenters were working. I started hammering them in different parts of the cross. For me, these nails of different sizes represent humanity’s sins which contribute to the suffering of the Divine Word."
Bro. Mark shared the intention behind the design of the Chapel, sharing that he hopes that when people enter the chapel and gaze upon the gentle face of Jesus on the cross, they will be “inspired, blessed, forgiven, and above all, loved, as they find themselves embraced by the feeling of being at home.”
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The official blessing and consecration of the Chapel was conducted on July 28, 2021 by Most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, with Rev. Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, and SVD Confreres.
Later that year, the newly-blessed chapel began to welcome Simbang Gabi devotees for nine evenings until Christmas Eve. Since then, the chapel has celebrated Holy Masses during weekends and during special days for devotees and visitors to the Farm.
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Recognizing the need to accommodate the increasing number of visitors, the chapel underwent an extension in May 2023, expanding its dimensions to 26 feet by 44 feet. Mr. Benito Borja-Boco oversaw the chapel extension, which involved the addition of a basement/second floor and the enlargement of the chapel's sides to accommodate more churchgoers.
Speaking about the importance of the chapel, Mr. Boco shared, "The chapel is significant because it is visited by numerous devotees. We hope that those who come to worship here will see a clean and beautiful chapel and breathe in fresh air. It is an achievement that we were able to fulfill Fr. Sam's vision by constructing this extension. We have truly maintained the beauty of the chapel. I am delighted to see our worshippers enjoying the chapel."
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Testimonials from visitors speak volumes about the spiritual experience offered by the SVD Farm and the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor. Caroline Ramirez described it as a place to “commune with the Creator amidst lush greens, the cool Tagaytay breeze, and a serene environment that allows one to focus on the essentials.” Essie Cachapero describes it as “the most significant area where one can spend moments of solitude,” highlighting how the ambiance “brings one closer to the source of all creation—our loving Father.” Tess Bucayan shares that the Chapel “invites one’s heart to commune with God.” Jerome and Emma Manere describe the “tiny, lovely chapel” as situated “amid nature’s beauty.”
Visitors to the Farm attest to the transformative power of the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor and of SVD Farm, added Fr. Sam. According to him, many who visit come with “wounded hearts” and are “healed” by their experience. Many visitors find themselves moved to tears, experiencing an overwhelming sense of peace and spiritual connection, he added.
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As we stand before the Grotto and Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, we are not merely beholding an architectural marvel but a testament to the SVD Farm's unwavering commitment to spirituality, sustainability, and environmental harmony. The Grotto and Chapel's story, intertwined with the essence of SVD and of the Farm, unveils a journey that traces its origin back to the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the Virgin of the Poor.
Visitors may attend the Holy Mass at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor during our regular schedule:
Saturday: 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM
Watch the SVD Farm's video featuring the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor before its blessing and consecration through the following link:
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.