Timeline:

Our Lady of Divine Grace Parish Church was said to have been established in the year 1768, but a more realistic date would be around the early 1830s.

The oldest bell in the parish is dated 1835, during the term of Fr. Jose Varela, the town’s first cura parocco.

A second bell, dated 1846 is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Grasia. The Estado General of 1879 reports that the parish was elevated to a vicariate status under the titular patronage of Nuestra Snra. De Guia around 1836.

In November 23, 1881, in compliance with the Recollect Provincial Chapter of 1876, the Mabalacat parish was named as one of the head parishes (“priorato”) of the San Nicolas de Tolentino province, together with Sta. Cruz, Balayan in Batangas and Boac, Marinduque. The Recoletos have always had an early devotion to the Nuestra Señora de las Gracias (Our Lady of Graces) and it is certain that they propagated this among Mabalaqueño converts.

The original shrine in Guadalupe, Makati was first dedicated to her Divine Grace. The imposing image of the seated Mater Divina Gratiae in the main altar was installed during the term of Fr. Felipe Roque. In one of his visits to Rome, he beheld the similar image in San Giovanni Rotonda (home of stigmatist saint, Fr. Pio) and was inspired to have a copy carved after the original image. The Virgin is flanked by the figures of San Joaquin and St. Ana, installed through the sponsorships of Dna. Paz vda. de Wijangco and Dna. Maningning de Naguiat respectively. The recent repainting of the images was done in 2002.

Getting to Pampanga

Motorists and commuters will arrive in Pampanga in just 1-½ hours by car or bus from Manila through the North Luzon Expressway exiting via San Fernando, Angeles or Dau Toll Plaza.

All bus lines linking Manila with Baguio, Pangasinan, and Ilocos pass through the province. Philippine Rabbit serves the provincial capital (San Fernando) from Manila. Victory Liner links Angeles City and Olongapo City. Baliwag Transit and E. Jose Transport operates route services from Olongapo City to Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija via San Fernando, Pampanga. Arayat Express also serves the San Fernando-Cabanatuan route. Other buses that pass through the towns of Pampanga include Dagupan Bus Lines, Dangwa Tranco, Five Star Bus Co., Farinas Transit, Franco Federico Lines, Maria De Leon Trans, Partas Trans Co. and Viron Transit.

Also, there are jeepneys and/or mini-buses in each town or city that serve inter-zonal points towards other parts of the province.

Accommodations

• Hotel Vida - 5414 M.A. Royas Highway Clark Freeport Zone, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles / Clark, Philippines
• Angeles Beach Club Hotel - Don Juico Avenue, Malabanias Road , Clark Perimeter (Angeles City), Angeles / Clark, Philippines
• Affinity Condo Resort - 107A Sofia Street, Josefa Subdivision, Malabanias, Fields (Angeles City), Angeles / Clark, Philippines
• Fontana Hotel and Villas - Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks - C.M. Recto Highway, Clark Freeport Zone, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles / Clark, Philippines 2023
• Prism Hotel - 121 Clark Avenue, Clark Perimeter (Angeles City), Angeles / Clark, Philippines 2009
• Hotel Sogo Mexico Pampanga - 101 Olongapo Road, Lagundi, Mexico, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles / Clark, Philippines 
• Silk's Inn - Mabini cor. Quezon St., Malabanias, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles / Clark, Philippines
• Gani Hotel - 3757 3rd St., Balibago, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles / Clark, Philippines
• Hafa Adai Court Hotel - Doolittle St., Hensonville, Angeles City, Clark Perimeter (Angeles City), Angeles / Clark, Philippines
• Century Hotel - Century Complex, Balibago, Fields (Angeles City), Angeles / Clark, Philippines 2009