The Simala Shrine or the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist is a famous religious place in Cebu. The place is commonly known to Cebuanos as “Birhen sa Simala” and located specifically in Marian Hills, Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. The Simala Shrine is known for the miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary, and many people already witnessed her divine graces that occured to their lives.

The monastery is very popular among believers and considered as a haven for Marian devotees not only because it is considered the home of the miraculous ‘Birhen sa Simala’ but also because it’s a place where devotees and visitors can meditate and unwind.

Devotees believe that the Virgin Mary cried blood during her birthday on September 8 and considered it as a miracle. The devotees of the ‘Birhen sa Simala’ sacrifice to fall in line in order to meet and kiss the Virgin Mary, even though it takes them an hour or more to do so.

Tourists can visit this religious site from the center of Cebu by taking a bus from South Bus Terminal (located in Cebu City) going to Sibonga and stopping at the corner of the main road going to the monastery. From here, they can take a ride on a ‘habal-habal’ directly going to the Monastery which opens daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Visitors should wear formal dresses in order to enter the monastery and  should be careful with their words and actions as it is a very sacred place to the monks who administer the place.

Inside the monastery, visitors can see lots of testimonials and letters of thanksgiving for their answered prayers. There are also notes and materials from the people believed to be healed and experienced the divine graces of the Virgin Mary. These includes wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.

Like other churches and monasteries, the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist also holds mass everyday at 12:00 noon except on Saturday and on the 13th day of the month in which the mass starts at 10:30 am. There are also colored candles available in the monastery for P35 each and visitors can use the candles while praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The payment for the candle serves as a source of funding for the improvement and maintenance of the monastery. Each colored candles have its own meaning as follows:

1. Gold: Healing (Good health, Recovery, Spiritual, Family Tree)
2. Green: Prosperity/Success (Exams, Study, Financial, Business)
3. Blue: Perseverance (Employment, Career, Assignment, Promotions)
4. Violet: Achievement (Plans in life, Struggles, Endeavors, Journeys, Voyage)
5. Red: Love (Utility, Friendship, Engagement, Family)
6. Yellow: Peace (Courage, Strength, Hope)
7. White: Purity (Enlightenment, Guidance, Right Path)
8. Orange: Reconciliation (Sweetheart, Wife, Husband, Enemy, Family)
9. Pink: Thanksgiving/Happiness/Joy (Spiritual, Physical)
10. Black: Souls (Forgiveness, Pardon)
11. Brown: Vocation (Marriage Bond, God’s Servant, Single life)
12. Gray: Deliverance (Bad ways, Things, Spirits)
13. Cream: Conversion/Faith (Children, Household, Couples)

Visitors or devotees who wish to give donations can give directly to the monks and not to other people because there are reports of fraud in the area. Visitors can also buy souvenirs like rosaries, prayer guides and statues which are available on souvenir shops outside the church. Tourist will surely enjoy their visit in the monastery as it is a magnificent place where miracles could happen.