O Holy Spirit,
that I may think
what is Holy.
Guide me, O Holy Spirit,
that I may realize,
what is Holy.
Attract me to you,
O Holy Spirit
that I may love
what is Holy
Strengthen me,
O Holy Spirit,
that I may defend
what is Holy.
Defend me, O Holy Spirit
that I may never lose
what is Holy.
| :: TABOR HILL (Talamban, Cebu City) | |
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| There is always a close connection between the Mountains and Religions. In a special way in Christianity, if we read the Bible, we see in both Old and New Testament speaks about many Mountains. One among those Holy Mountains, in the time of New Testament is Mount Tabor where Jesus transfigured and showed a glimpse of his glory to his three beloved disciples on this earth. Not only in the Old and New Testament Times but | |
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even in these days of ours, God, still presence himself in the Mountains. Among the many mountains that shows the beauty and the greatness of God, Tabor Hill is unique and beautiful. As we read in the Second Book of Chronicles where God himself says, "now and for the future my eyes are open and my ears attentive to prayer offered in this place, for now I have chosen and consecrated this Temple for my name to be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will constantly be there." (2Chr. 7:15, 16) And as He promised through |
| the Word of God, "And the Glory of Yahweh rose from the centre of the city and halted on the mountain to the east of the city", He did it here in this Tabor Hill. He has chosen to be here to continue His work of Salvation through his Cross and through his Mother Our Lady of Tabor. | |
The big blue neon cross rising above the town of Talamban, Cebu City serves as a beacon to whoever tries to reach Tabor Hill. The lighted cross itself rises from the roof-deck where below, it is rooted on the station of the crucifixion of the Christ. There are sixteen stations set up by the Order of the Discalced Augustinians(OAD) scattered in the undulating grounds. At night, the topmost portion of Tabor is lofty enough to view the City lights from Cebu spread in patterns and blackness that surrounds the fringes. |
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This place has attracted many religious pilgrims in Cebu and all over since the OAD Mission developed the place for the 16 Stations of the Cross for prayer and meditation in 1998. The OAD itself is an old Augustinian society going back to 1558. A chapel opens up as visitors come up to the reception. Nowadays the well-paved paths and the artful grottos depiction of the passion and special shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mother and favorite saints are well tucked sheltered by trees and open air structures. When the Holy Week observation around the corner, bulks of devotees are expected to make their way |
| to Tabor Hills. At night, Tabor Hill is well lighted and so the way of the cross can continue late. Indeed it is a most prayer friendly place. And surely you will say together with the three Apostles Peter, James and John, "Lord it is nice to be here." | |
Tabor Hill is also very well known as Marian Hill. As you enter you can see Our Lady of Consolation welcoming you. When you enter in you will have the guidance of Our Lady of Lourdes, then you are welcomed by Holy Spirit in the form of Giant Dove at the Holy Spirit Shrine. When we climb up the steps and reach under the wings of the Holy Spirit we can find the Holy Relics of the Saints of St. Augustinian Order. The Relics are of St. Augustine of Hippo at the top left, who is Bishop, Confessor and the Doctor of the Church. At the top right, we could see the relic of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine who won her son for God by 30 years of Prayer. At the |
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right side up we have the relic of a great Augustinian Recollect Missionary of Philippines St. Ezequiel Moreno, who was ordained as priest in 1871 in Manila, Philippines, and working for 15 years as a missionary in the Country. And right below to him we have the relic of a simple and generous saint who gave up everything for the poor, even his bed on which he died, also is the patron of Studies in the Augustinian Order. He is none other than St. Thomas Villanova. Then down right we have the relic of St. John of Sahagun who was a tireless preacher and peacemaker and advocate of social harmony |
| and his devotion to the blessed Eucharist was of the centre of his life. Down left we have a well known saint's relic who is also known as the Saint of the impossible. It is our beloved St. Rita. At the left side top we have the relic of St. Nicholas of Tolentine. He was remarkable for his spirit of prayer, penance and devotion to the Holy Souls and he is the patron of the Souls in Purgatory. Left side up we have the relic of an Augustinian Contemplative nun St. Clare of the Cross of Montefalco who bore the symbols of the passion of Christ in her heart. | |
As we come down from the presence of the Holy Spirit, we just join with the Lord in his Way of the Cross. Every Friday morning at 5 am we have the Way of the Cross followed by Holy Mass. At Tabor Hill we still can see the Shrine of our Lady of Manaog and Rosary Garden together with Fathima Garden. St. Rita's Shrine is unique in this Tabor Hill where every Thursday devotees come and join the Novena Mass of St. Rita, the Saint of the impossible. Just in front of the St. Rita's Shrine we have St. Rita Multipurpose Hall. And the land mark of Cebu city is the 33 mts high Millennium |
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| Cross which stands gloriously reminding our salvation and the salvation of the whole world. The Lord said in the Bible, "Be still and know that I am God." If you want to experience this enter into the Adoration Chapel and you will meet him there in the stillness of mind and heart. Added to all these we have installed not just ringing bell but singing bell, and the Upper Room Cenacle. Cenacle is the place where Apostles together with Mother Mary prayed and received the Holy Spirit. When we pray in this Cenacle we receive the same Pentecostal experience. |
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Tabor Hill is open always for prayer, penance, conversion, confession and adoration. Priests are always available to 'Bring God closer to the People and To bring People closer to God,' 'Serving the Most High in the Spirit of Humility.' This Tabor Hill which transfigures many lives of the people is maintained by the Order of the Discalced Augustinians (OAD). In OAD more than a hundred seminarians from different continents are studying to become future pillars of the Church. |
| After having experienced the presence of God, what else can we say, many faithful say, "Lord it is nice to be here." If you want to remain here, physically may not be possible but you can be here always in the presence of God by partaking in the Mission of the OAD by praying, sponsoring a seminarian or sponsoring the OAD Mission Projects or you can support us in whatever way that you can. Let us remember how Jesus appreciated the offering of the poor widow. God never looks how much we give but surely he considers how we give. St. Paul praises in one of his letters, 'God is glad with a cheerful giver.' Give in order to receive. May our Lady of Tabor Bless you all. |
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