Since it is Maundy Thursday, it is good to go to a peaceful and quiet place to do some meditation. A commendable place is the Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia or Regina RICA. It is located along Marcos Highway in Sitio Aguho, Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal which is about 50 km away from Metro Manila.

I’ve been there once in November 2012 and it is really calm and peaceful. Regina RICA was established by the Dominican sisters of Regina Rosario in 2001 and now has became a popular pilgrimage site among Catholics.

Upon reaching the place, statues of St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Dominic on the gate mark the entrance to Regina RICA. Regina RICA was built on a hill with a 13.5 hectare land. At the heart of this spacious land is the 71-foot statue of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Inside the statue is a place called “Sanctuary of Universal Love and Devotion” or SULOD where one can go to a deeper meditation.

St. Joseph is the special patron of Regina RICA, so it is expected that there will be a statue of the saint in the area. His statue can be seen in an area called Rotunda de San Jose named also after the saint.

With the place being serene, sacred and silent, Regina RICA has proven to be a perfect place for pilgrimage, contemplation, prayer, ecological sanctuary and wellness environment.