Visita Iglesia (2023): Saint John Paul II Chapel (NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City)

Tucked beside the stairs in NAIA Terminal 3 is a place that I make sure to visit before I board the airplane. That place with a small space is none other than the Saint John Paul II Chapel of NAIA Terminal 3.

The Airport Chapel was established as a tribute to Pope John Paul II. I am not sure why they chose to dedicate the chapel the Pope. My only guess is that since Pope John Paul II is the pope that has most number of visits to the Philippines then that means that he has the most number of times of arriving and departing NAIA of all the Popes. 

Despite its small size, many people visit this chapel even in the wee hours of the morning. Air travelers, airport personnel, airplane cabin crew — I saw them all dropping by this chapel to pray and ask the Lord for safe flight.

My usual prayer whenever I go to this chapel is to ask the Lord for my safe journey, and also the safety of my family and loved ones who I will leave behind as I sojourn in other places.

There are images of Jesus, Mary, and other saints in many areas of NAIA Terminal 3 where people can pray to the Lord or ask the saints’ intercession. I, however, prefer going to Airport Chapel because it is a quiet place to pray.

I am thankful to the airport management for giving a space for a chapel inside NAIA Terminal 3. It is spiritually soothing for those in the airport who wish to pray and converse with the Lord before they fly.

For those who are looking for a church to pray before boarding the airplane, I recommend Shrine of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus that is just across the street from NAIA Terminal 3. I also recommend Our Lady of the Airways Church, which is also in the vicinity of the airport.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven or fourteen churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

Read about the churches that I visited this year

Palm Sunday: Immaculate Conception Church in Concepcion Uno, Marikina

Holy Monday: Santo Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati

Fig Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel in SM Makati

Spy Wednesday: Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Laguna

Maundy Thursday: Saint John Paul II Chapel in NAIA Terminal 3

Good Friday: Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

Black Saturday: Quiapo Church in Manila

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