People typically visit Cebu to have the time of their lives in the different tourist destinations in the island. While the beaches and mountain resorts of Cebu are the places tourists typically visit, the island also has quiet places where you can meditate and reflect on everything that happened in your life so far. One of these places is the St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen.
St. Benedict Monastery – image source: Municipality of Carmen Official website
St. Benedict Monastery
The St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen is a center for meditation, prayer, and healing located in Corte, Carmen. This mountain retreat offers a panoramic view of the landscape surrounding the place. It is a few kilometers away from the main road. The monastery is home to the Oratory of St. Pedro Calungsod, Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Center, and the Divine Mercy Center. Each year hundreds of pilgrims visit the place to pray, go to confession, and seek counseling.
The St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen is a center for meditation, prayer, and healing located in Corte, Carmen. This mountain retreat offers a panoramic view of the landscape surrounding the place. It is a few kilometers away from the main road. The monastery is home to the Oratory of St. Pedro Calungsod, Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Center, and the Divine Mercy Center. Each year hundreds of pilgrims visit the place to pray, go to confession, and seek counseling.
St. Benedict Monastery – image source: Municipality of Carmen Official website
The monastery is under the Sylvestrine Congregation, which is a monastic reform movement among the Benedictines. The reform movement occurred during the 13th century in the central and eastern part of Italy. Monks from the Conventual Priory of St. Joseph Makkiyad, India opened the Philippine mission in 1999 under the patronage of the Abbot General and General Curia.
St. Benedict Monastery – image source: Municipality of Carmen Official website
Arrival of Monks in Cebu
The first two monks arrived in Cebu in 1999. They were received by the mayor of Carmen at that time, Mayor Virginio Villamor. Since the family of the mayor had vast tracts of land in the town, he offered land for the monks to build their monastery. Since the land offered was not suitable for a monastery, the monks had to purchase around four hectares of land in 1999. The monastery started off as a small structure before the main structure was built. After St. Benedict Monastery was completed, it was blessed on December 8, 2005.
The first two monks arrived in Cebu in 1999. They were received by the mayor of Carmen at that time, Mayor Virginio Villamor. Since the family of the mayor had vast tracts of land in the town, he offered land for the monks to build their monastery. Since the land offered was not suitable for a monastery, the monks had to purchase around four hectares of land in 1999. The monastery started off as a small structure before the main structure was built. After St. Benedict Monastery was completed, it was blessed on December 8, 2005.
St. Benedict Monastery – image source: Municipality of Carmen Official website
Place for Retreats
Since the St. Benedict Monastery is situated six kilometers from the main road. Due to its isolation, it is perfect for retreats and reflections. One of the facilities ideal for these activities is the Divine Mercy Center. The center can be used for religious seminars, recollections, and retreats. It can also be used for prayer reunions and family gatherings supervised by a priest. The center is big enough to accommodate 50 people. Closed retreats can also be conducted at the Divine Mercy Center together with the Monastic guesthouse. The guesthouse is big enough for 24 persons.
Since the St. Benedict Monastery is situated six kilometers from the main road. Due to its isolation, it is perfect for retreats and reflections. One of the facilities ideal for these activities is the Divine Mercy Center. The center can be used for religious seminars, recollections, and retreats. It can also be used for prayer reunions and family gatherings supervised by a priest. The center is big enough to accommodate 50 people. Closed retreats can also be conducted at the Divine Mercy Center together with the Monastic guesthouse. The guesthouse is big enough for 24 persons.
St. Benedict Monastery – image source: Municipality of Carmen Official website
Other Places to Visit in Carmen
Carmen also has a number of other places tourists can visit. These places include the Mangitngit Falls, St. Agustin Parish Church, the Japanese grave marker, Durano Eo Farm and Carmen Bay. Another upcoming attraction in the town of Carmen is the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, which is set to officially open within the year.
Carmen also has a number of other places tourists can visit. These places include the Mangitngit Falls, St. Agustin Parish Church, the Japanese grave marker, Durano Eo Farm and Carmen Bay. Another upcoming attraction in the town of Carmen is the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, which is set to officially open within the year.
Cebu Safari and Adventure Park – image source: Cebu Safari and Adventure Park Facebook Page
Carmen was once a quiet town in the northern part of Cebu. It was one of the places travelers pass by on their way to the northern part of Cebu. The recent developments in the town may soon make Carmen a destination rather than a stopover point for visitors to the island of Cebu.
St. Benedict Monastery – image source: Municipality of Carmen Official website
Have you attended a retreat at the St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen already? Tell us about the experience in the comments section below.
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