Konted's Make My Day 2: Santa Maria della Strada Church: Cardinal Sin's Legacy

Santa Maria della Strada Church: Cardinal Sin's Legacy

Traffic was not moving that particular afternoon along the northbound lane of Katipunan Avenue. A cargo truck sideswiped a taxicab, which in turn, hit two other vehicles. Traffic enforcers were investigating and were in the process of untangling the traffic buildup. I reckoned it would take more than an hour and, upon seeing a circular church at the right side of the road, slowly and, little by little, I moved to that direction, parked under the shade of an acacia tree, made some stretching and walked inside the church compound. The Church's name is Santa Maria della Strada Parish.

Santa Maria della Strada Church in Pansol, Quezon City is named after the miraculous Our Lady of the Way, the patroness of the the Society of Jesus whose founder, St. Ignatius de Loyola, used to pray at its shrine in Italy. With its sides open, allowing fresh air and, at the same time, getting rid of noxious air, the church serves the spiritual needs of residents of La Vista, Xavierville, Alta Vista, Pansol and Balara, among others. The man responsible for its establishment as a parish in 1981 was the eminent Cardinal Sin who immediately acted on the petition of the parishioners for a new parish. First parish priest was Monsignor Patricio Lim who served for more than 20 years.

While most churches, notably those with Gothic and Baroque styles, have their bells up high a tower, Santa Maria della Strada Church has its bells within a structure constructed separately from the main edifice of the church. The steel bell tower stands to the left of the church, which is near the administration offices. At its right is a colombarium with a limited number of niches. It was so artistically designed that it looks like a small park. There are native bamboos that enhance the beauty and serenity of the place.

An hour lapsed, but traffic was still heavy. Such has always been the traffic situation in that area of Katipunan which is considered as one of the most dangerous traffic black spots in Metro Manila. So critical is the situation along Katipunan that the MMDA made a commitment to field about 2,000 traffic enforcers for that area alone. It is surprising why Katipunan, where there is a heavy concentration of schools and students, was made part of the much ballyhooed Circumferential Road. But, then, where? It was half an hour later that I made it to the Quezon Memorial Circle. With an overheated engine.

- Konted

Santa Maria della Strada is at the right side of Katipunan Avenue when you are northbound, several meters after the main gate of La Vista in Quezon City. It is near Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila University.

The sides are open, allowing cool, fresh air to circulate inside the church.

The beautiful garden in front of the church.

Statue of Madonna della Strada

The steel bell tower of the church erected separately from the church's structure.

There is balance or symmetry in the landscaping of the areas surrounding the church.

There are small shops and offices near the entrance of the church.

The main entrance of Santa Maria della Strada Church. There are other side entrances.

Area where you light candles and say a little prayer or make petitions.

White is the balance of all colors. It can be used at any ritual.

Church's interior

The main altar. The icons are covered with purple linen in observance of Holy Week.

The marble altar table was used by Pope John II during the canonization of San Lorenzo de Ruiz. The life-size Crucifix above the main altar has a brown Christ (covered by linen in observance of Holy Week).