When I was still a "Makati Boy", I always passed by a chapel located beside Greenbelt enroute to MRT-Ayala. That chapel is Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel, more popularly known as Greenbelt Chapel.
Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel serves as a refuge for hundreds of employees working in Makati CBD. Many of them go to this chapel to connect with God before or after work. Even shoppers of the malls in the vicinity visit the chapel.
The altar is at the center of the chapel and the pews surround it. This peculiar arrangement is similar to that found in UP Chapel.
Located above the altar is the image of God the Father depicted as if He is blessing those who are present inside the chapel.
The establishment of Greenbelt Chapel is a story of faith and gratitude to our Lord. According to Architect JW Hermogenes, the chapel was built through the efforts of Fanny Del Rosario-Diploma.
Ms. Diploma was terminally ill because of cancer. The doctors already gave up on her and told her to go home to await her death. Ms. Diploma prayed earnestly for healing. The Lord heeded her request and saved her from cancer.
After her miraculous healing, Ms. Diploma and her husband Atty. Nordy Diploma decided to build a chapel as a symbol of their gratitude to the Lord. They noticed that Makati CBD, which was still largely undeveloped at that time, has no place of worship for Catholics. So the couple talked to the Ayalas and proposed that a chapel be built at the center of a lagoon. The Ayalas agreed on the condition that no permanent structure should be built and the area be vacated if the Ayalas demand it. The couple also approached Cardinal Sin, who was the archbishop of Manila at the time. They probably seek the guidance of the cardinal, particularly on the management of the proposed chapel and the assignment of priests.
Initially, the couple wished to build a St. Patrick Cathedral inspired chapel. But the requirements of the Ayalas made it not possible. Enrique Dizon and Topy Vasquez, the main architects for the project, designed a chapel with “steel-framed dome clad with staggered 6mm thick marine plywood”. The architects also designed the church to be easily moved by a helicopter just in case the Ayalas demand the removal of the chapel.
The Greenbelt Chapel was inaugurated on July 28, 1983 and was dedicated to Santo Niño de Paz. The chapel was initially placed under the jurisdiction of the Salesians, who also administer Don Bosco Church in Makati CBD.
What I like with this chapel is that the Sacrament of Confession is available almost daily. This is thanks to the dedication of the chapel to St. Padre Pio, a saint who is known for his zeal in the confessional. Confession is available in the Greenbelt Chapel from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. I noticed that many people lined up for confession during my visit. I hope that more priests make confession truly available in their parishes.
Another thing that I like with Greenbelt Chapel is the donation that they send to impoverished parishes in the Philippines through their Love-a-Parish Program. Money donated by the people through this program were sent to various parishes from the northernmost parish in Batanes to the Southernmost in Tawi-Tawi.
Who is Santo Niño de Paz
Santo Niño de Paz is not a well-known title of Santo Niño in the Philippines. The most popular title is Santo Niño de Cebu, who draws crowds to Cebu City during his feast every January. A quick Google search shows that only the Greenbelt Chapel is the Catholic place of worship that is dedicated to Santo Niño de Paz.
The only church that I found is in Mexico (the country in South America, not the town in Pampanga) that bears the name Santo Niño de la Paz. This Mexican church is also in the midst of commercial buildings. Another similarity is that both places were built through the efforts of women. Santo Niño de la Paz Church was built through the efforts of Mrs. Catalina Escandón.
Santo Niño de Paz means the Holy Child of peace. It is a perfect title for our Lord for he is the bringer of peace. I believe that He brought peace to Fanny Del Rosario-Diploma by healing her cancer.
Beautiful Scenery Outside of Greenbelt Chapel
Outside of the Greenbelt Chapel are noteworthy sculptures. The first one that I noticed is the herd of carabaos.
This is a typical scene in the farming towns in the countryside.
Another statue is that of children playing tug-of-war.
Their pose is weird since the rope was already cut. It is as if they are pulling an imaginary rope. I enjoyed looking at the kids’ expressions that make the statues alive.
I do not know who made these statues. Even Google does not have any idea.
Located nearby is the small bell tower of Greenbelt Chapel.
Those who are interested in more artworks can visit the Ayala Museum, which is located in Greenbelt Mall.
Mass Schedule in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel
Holy Mass
Monday to Friday: 7:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 6:00 PM
Saturday: 12:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM
Sunday: 7:15 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM
Confession Schedule in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel
Confession: Monday to Saturday - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
I confessed in this church ones or twice and I can say that their schedule is very convenient for those people who have a hard time looking for the "free" time to confess. The line during my confession was short so I was able to receive the Sacrament of Confession after a few minutes of waiting.
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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 3Read my old blog post about Greenbelt Chapel.
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References:
1. History: A Bastion and Beacon of Faith for 35 Years in Santo Niño de Paz Chapel
2. The Greenbelt Chapel Story in Architrek
3. Santo Niño de la Paz in Gobierno de la Ciudad de Mexico
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