Perhaps surprisingly this church stands as a testament to faith and history. We are standing before the Talisay Church of Christ. It is a significant landmark in Cebu City Philippines.
The Talisay Church of Christ has a story that intertwines faith culture and resilience. Talisay’s history is rich. It served as a guerrilla post during World War II. Natural tourist spots surround it like Lagundi Reef Igotan Cave and Crocolandia. But the city’s historic church holds a special place in the hearts of its people.
The church is dedicated to St Teresa of Avila. She was a great reformer of the Counter Reformation. She was also a pioneering woman Doctor of the Church. Her bravery inspired the people of Talisay City. She became an integral role model and patroness.
The image of St Teresa of Avila is one of the oldest in Cebu. It is a de vestir image. She is vested in an ornate Carmelite Habit. It has embroidery and beadwork. She holds a quill pen and a book. These allude to her works. The academic biretta emphasizes her title as Doctor of the Church. The University of Salamance gave it to her years after her death. It was centuries before the Church declaration in 1970.
Teresa was born in Avila in 1515. She was intelligent and thoughtful. She and her brother Rodrigo preferred reading the Bible and stories of the saints. At 16 Teresa was sent to a convent. This was to keep her from bad influences. At 21 she became a nun. She enjoyed her life there. She realized she had a special gift. She saw heavenly visions.
She wrote about these visions. One was her transverberation. An angel appeared with a golden spear. He thrust it into Teresa’s heart. She felt safe and at peace instead of pain. The spear was the love of God. After the vision she felt close to God. An wound was found in her incorrupt heart.
Teresa knew how to pray. Many people wanted to learn from her. She wrote books to help them. They became classics of Spanish literature. She founded convents focused on a simple life of prayer. Other religious orders opposed her. But her ideas spread through Spain and Europe. She became known as the foundress of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites.
She died in 1582 at 67. She was canonized in 1622. In 1970 she and St Catherine of Siena were named Doctors of the Church. They were the first women in Church history. St Teresa’s feast is celebrated every October 15. The Carmelites keep a feast of her transverberation every August 26.
Devotion to St Teresa in Talisay City began in 1836. Rev Fr Juan Soriano brought the image of St Teresa of Avila. He was a devotee of the saint. When the parish of Talisay was constructed he placed it under her patronage. The image Fr Juan Soriano brought is still venerated today. It is enthroned in the main altar.
The devotion developed over the years. Archbishop Teofilo Camomot founded the Daughters of St Teresa. This was inspired by St Teresa de Avila. The construction of the parish began on August 16 1836. It was completed twelve years later. A typhoon destroyed its roof in 1877. Another church was built in 1880 and finished a year later. Like many churches on the island the Sta Teresa de Avila Parish Church was made using coral stones.
A convent stood beside the church. It was destroyed during World War 2. Americans bombed the place. This was to flush out Japanese soldiers. Fortunately the facade and side chapels were spared. The parish was rebuilt years later. The ancient parish was elevated as an Archdiocesan Shrine. This was by Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on October 15 2007. It is the only shrine in the Philippines dedicated to St Teresa of Avila.
The celebration of her feast begins in October. There is a Walk with St Teresa a fluvial procession and a grand procession. Pilgrims flock to her shrine regularly. They seek help from their miraculous patroness.
The life of St Teresa of Avila is one of the boldest in Catholic Church history. She initiated change for God’s will. Her life inspired millions. As we stand here at the Talisay Church of Christ remember her words. Let nothing disturb you. God alone suffices.