THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. JUDE, MANILA

One national shrine that had long been “near yet far” for me was the National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus, which I had passed many times but never truly visited. When the bishops’ January meeting was scheduled in Manila, we decided to celebrate the daily Masses outside the Pius XII Catholic Center, giving the bishops an opportunity to pray in nearby national shrines. St. Jude was among those chosen, and the Shrine Rector, Rev. Fr. Alex G. Vitualla, SVD, warmly welcomed the plan—including hosting dinner for the bishops afterward. An ocular visit to inspect the church and its facilities finally gave me the opportunity to step inside.

Located along J.P. Laurel Street in San Miguel, within the Malacañang complex, the shrine traces its origins to 1958 and was originally established as the Espíritu Santo Chinese Parish—one of three Chinese parishes of the Archdiocese of Manila. Over time, devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus grew, especially through the well-attended Thursday novena, drawing students and board exam reviewees who seek the intercession of the patron saint of “hopeless cases.”

In 1994, it was declared an Archdiocesan Shrine, and in 2010, with the endorsement of Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales and the approval of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines during its 100th plenary assembly, it was elevated to the rank of National Shrine. Today, beyond its historical roots as a personal parish for the Chinese-Filipino community, it stands as a national center of devotion—an oasis of prayer in the very heart of the country’s political district.

The bishops waiting for the entrance procession for the mass at the St. Jude Thaddeus National Shrine. 

With the Shrine Rector Fr. Alex Vitualla, SVD (second from right) and his assistant priests. 

A welcome dance was performed by some parishioners before the start of the mass. 

Fr. Alex Vitualla, SVD, the Shrine rector giving his words of welcome.