Traveling to the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Some of you might be wondering how to get to the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas through public transport.

Here’s how:

The Bus

Whether you’re traveling from Quezon City or Pasay, or anywhere from Metro Manila, the first thing you have to find is a bus going to Lucena City. There are many choices:

• JAM in Kamuning QC
• Lucena Lines
• JAC in Taft, Pasay and Kamuning QC
• DLTB in Taft, Pasay and Kamuning QC

The Fare

Excluding your fare going to the terminal, the fare from Kamuning QC to Sto. Tomas, Batangas is PhP 107 (Jac Liner).

You just need to tell the bus driver and conductor to drop you off at Padre Pio Shrine.

Travel Time 

It is best to leave Metro Manila not later than 5AM, or even 4 AM depending on when you are going because of the mass schedule.

The travel time by bus is approximately 2 – 3 hours via commute but for those with private cars, it should just be less than 2 hours.

Drop off Point – Brgy. San Pedro, Santo Tomas Batangas

Once you get to the drop off point, there are tricycles in the area that can take you to the shrine. If you decide to pay for the entire trip, it will cost PhP 40 but if you decide to wait for other passengers, it will cost only PhP 10 per passenger. 

The Shrine

According to locals, the Shrine is usually crowded on 1st and 3rd Saturdays, on Sundays and every 23rd of the month. Once inside the church, despite it being crowded, the place is solemn.

I am not sure if they also have masses in English but the mass was in Filipino during our visit.

Confession, The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The parish priest said that confessions are done an hour before the start of every mass. There are priests invited within the Diocese of Lipa City to administer the sacrament to repentant visitors.

Blessing with Holy Water

Before the start of the mass, the priest will request everyone to approach the front of the altar with the items they want to be blessed.

He will say a short prayer and pray over everyone before blessing with Holy Water.

At the back of the chapel, there is a place called Holy Water Sanctuary. There is a wishing well inside with flowing Holy Water.

Offering Masses

Masses can be offered for special intentions. The donation for every intention is PhP 100.

Offering Roses

There are roses being sold for offering. 

• White roses are for answered prayers.
• Red roses are for prayer requests.

Prayer Petitions.

There are envelopes in the area where you can write your wish/es and slip in donation to go with your petition.

Lighting of Candles

After the Mass

The Food. After the mass, try the food within the area.

• Batangas Bulalo PhP 250 per order without rice
• Sinaing na Tulingan PhP 35 per piece without rice
• Rice PhP 10 per order
• Bibingka, Sapin sapin, Ube – 3 slices for PhP 50
• Suman PhP 50 per bundle

Going Home

Just take a tricycle ride back to the highway for only 15 pesos per person.
You may wait for buses going back to Pasay or Cubao at the highway. They don’t have a designated bus terminal.

Pray.

Hope.

And don’t worry.

– Padre Pio