7 Things to do in Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines
Monasterio de Tarlac is a Catholic monastery located on top of Mount Resurrection, part of the Zambales Mountain Range in San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines. It is known for housing a relic believed to be a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus, which was brought to the Philippines by a Servite priest named Father Ronald Thomas Cortez in 2005. The monastery also features a 30-foot statue of the Risen Christ, a chapel, a museum, and a meditation center.
If you are looking for a serene and spiritual destination, Monasterio de Tarlac is a great option. Here are some things you can do during your visit:
1. Attend a mass at the chapel. The chapel is open to the public from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, and Monasterio de tarlac mass schedule are held at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, and 10:30 AM during Friday. You can also join the rosary prayer at 5:30 PM. The chapel is a beautiful example of Spanish-inspired architecture, with stained glass windows and wooden pews. Inside the chapel, you can also see the relic of the True Cross, which is displayed in a glass case behind the altar.
2. Visit the museum. The museum showcases the history and significance of the monastery and the relic of the True Cross. You can learn about how Father Cortez acquired the relic from Pope John Paul II, how he brought it to the Philippines, and how he founded the monastery. You can also see photos, documents, and memorabilia related to the monastery and the Servite order.
3. Explore the monastery grounds. The monastery is surrounded by lush greenery and scenic views of the mountains and valleys. You can take a leisurely walk around the area and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere. You can also see various statues and sculptures depicting scenes from the Bible, such as the Stations of the Cross, the Garden of Eden, and the Last Supper.
4. Take a scenic hike. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike up to the statue of the Risen Christ, which stands on a hill overlooking the monastery. The hike takes about 20 minutes and is moderately challenging. You can also hike to other nearby attractions, such as the Mount Resurrection Eco Park and the Lubigan Falls.
5. Enjoy a picnic. The monastery has several picnic areas where you can relax and have a snack or a meal. You can bring your own food or buy some from the souvenir shop or the cafeteria. There are also cottages and tents available for rent if you want to stay overnight.
6. Participate in meditation and yoga classes. The monastery offers meditation and yoga classes for visitors who want to enhance their physical and mental well-being. The classes are held at the meditation center, which is a spacious hall with wooden floors and large windows. The classes are led by trained instructors who will guide you through various exercises and techniques to help you relax and focus.
7. Shop for souvenirs. The monastery has a souvenir shop where you can buy various items related to the monastery and the relic of the True Cross. You can find rosaries, medals, candles, books, shirts, mugs, keychains, and more.
To go to Monasterio de Tarlac from Manila, you have several options:
– By car: You can drive via NLEX-SCTEX-TPLEX and exit at Luisita Access Road in Tarlac City. From there, follow the signs to Monasterio de Tarlac. The travel time is about 2 hours.
– By bus: You can take a bus bound for Dagupan or Baguio from Cubao or Pasay and alight at SM City Tarlac or Siesta Bus Terminal in Tarlac City. From there, take a jeepney or tricycle to San Jose Terminal and then take another jeepney or tricycle to Monasterio de Tarlac. The travel time is about 3 hours.
– By tour: You can join a tour package that includes transportation, entrance fees, meals, and guides. There are many travel agencies that offer tours to Monasterio de Tarlac.
The entrance fee to Monasterio de Tarlac is free, but donations are welcome. The operating hours are from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.
*As of 2020
Our experienced in Monasterio de Tarlac
If you’re looking for a spiritual experience, you might want to check out this place where they have a piece of the cross that Jesus died on. It’s on top of a mountain called Mt. Resurrection, where they also have a big church, a small chapel and a huge statue of Jesus coming back to life. The view from up there is amazing, you can see the whole landscape of hills, rivers and farms.
But before you go, there’s something you should know. There’s a sign at the entrance that says: “Be pilgrims, not tourists.” That means you should respect the place and not make too much noise or mess. Because there are a lot of food stalls, shops and even a pizza place around the area, some people tend to forget that they’re in a holy place and act like they’re in a mall. They block the way to the church, talk loudly and leave their trash everywhere. That’s not cool.
I think they should move all the food and souvenir sellers away from the church, gardens, statue and viewing decks. Or maybe just keep a few of them that have proper buildings and get rid of the rest that use tents and carts. That way, people can focus more on praying and meditating and less on eating and shopping.
It also breaks my heart to see all the garbage that some people leave behind. There are plastic bottles, cups, wrappers and other stuff all over the place. It’s like they don’t care about the environment or the place at all. I hope they can do something about this soon.
