How often does a felled tree reveal a sacred symbol? Here we are at Mahal na Krus. It stands as a testament to faith and unexpected discoveries. Let’s uncover the story of this unique chapel.
Mahal na Krus began with a simple event back in 1922. A laborer named Crispino Lacandaso was chopping wood. He worked on a hundred-year-old sampalok tree. The tree stood on an empty lot in Gagalangin, Manila. As Lacandaso cleaved the trunk, he found a dark cross imprinted on both halves.
Locals saw this as a miracle. The wood pieces were encased in glass. Devotees flocked to the site. Soon a small chapel was built. It enshrined the miraculous wood. This chapel became known as Kambal na Krus Chapel. Kambal na Krus means Twin Crosses.
The chapel falls under St. Joseph de Gagalangin Parish. It serves six barangays. Its feast day is celebrated every third Sunday of March. People express gratitude for blessings received.
Over the years, Mahal na Krus underwent renovations. A major change occurred in 2009. The chapel gained a second altar. Two more floors were added. The second floor became a choir loft. A rooftop area and bellcote were constructed on the third.
In 2013, the facade was redesigned. It now resembles a 19th-century structure. The two crosses outside were replaced with wooden crosses. The wall was changed to adobe.
During the fiesta, people venerate the crosses. Many believe in the chapel’s miraculous properties. On Maundy Thursday, it is a Visita Iglesia pilgrimage site. Pilgrims come from various cities.
The chapel’s Discovery Day is March 23. The main celebration happens on the third Sunday of March. A triduum of Masses precedes the fiesta. Two Masses are celebrated on the feast day. A procession follows in the afternoon.
The centennial anniversary was celebrated on March 23, 2022. Charles John Brown presided over a Pontifical Solemn Mass.
Mahal na Krus stands as more than just a building. It embodies faith, history, and community. Its story began with a simple woodcutter and a miraculous discovery. It continues to inspire devotees today. The tale of Mahal na Krus is a unique chapter in Manila’s spiritual landscape. It invites reflection on faith’s mysterious ways. A simple act revealed a sacred symbol.