Located in Marilao, Bulacan, the National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the country for devotees of the Divine Mercy. I’ve visited this place several times over the years.

The shrine is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Malolos and was elevated to the status of a National Shrine by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The very first Mass at the site was held on February 2, 1992, during the Feast of the Presentation, marking the beginning of its role as a center for Divine Mercy devotion in the Philippines.

Growing up, I remember how the 3 o’clock Divine Mercy prayer was a regular fixture on television. Wherever I was—at home, in school, or out running errands—I would often hear it play at exactly 3 p.m. It was short and simple, but it left an impression. This prayer, attributed to Saint Faustina Kowalska, reflects the hour of Jesus’ death and is central to the Divine Mercy devotion.

One of the most striking features of the shrine is the towering Divine Mercy statue located within the compound. Standing at 45.72 meters (150 feet) tall, it is among the tallest Divine Mercy statues in the world. Construction of the statue began in January 2016, and it was unveiled on January 19, 2017, during the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM). Although some finishing touches were still ongoing at the time of the unveiling, the statue quickly became a central visual and spiritual landmark for the shrine.

During my most recent visit, the shrine was hosting the wake of Monsignor Ranilo Santos Trillana, PC, EV, the long-serving Rector and parish priest of the shrine, who had passed away from prostate cancer on September 11, 2024. The Mass I attended that day was held in the Saint Faustina Hall, a spacious auditorium within the compound that regularly serves as an overflow venue for Sunday Masses and large gatherings. Despite the somber occasion, there was a strong sense of community, prayer, and gratitude for the life and service of the late Monsignor.

The shrine is thoughtfully designed to accommodate both individual pilgrims and large groups. Aside from the main church and Saint Faustina Hall, the grounds include various devotional areas, landscaped paths, and quiet corners for reflection.