San Pedro Calungsod Chapel opens at SM Aura Premier
MANILA, Philippines - San Pedro Calungsod Chapel opened at SM Aura Premier last May. SM believes in enriching the community’s spiritual needs with the recent launching of the San Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the mall’s top level.
Surrounded by the Skypark with its lush greens and water features, the chapel is the perfect place to stop, rest, and reflect in this fast paced city. It is named in honor of San Pedro Calungsod, the first Visayan saint, who is considered a role model for the youth. Martyred in Guam for his missionary work in 1672, he was beatified by Blessed Pope John Paul II on March 5, 2,000 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City on Oct. 21, 2012.
Located at the mall’s top level, it gives worshippers a feeling of being closer to God. Shaped like an abstract cave, it has a semi-circular opening that evokes images of the cave of the Resurrection. Gracefully designed ribs lead to the backlit altar-front, inviting the faithful inside for reflection and prayer. The wood and marble finishes give the chapel a simple natural feel. It also has 12 stations of the Cross, a statue of San Pedro Calungsod and the Virgin Mary.
The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod’s dedication ceremony began with the unveiling of the marker by SM chairman Henry Sy, Sr, Felicidad T. Sy and their family with Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano. Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, led the dedication ceremony and concelebrated Mass with members of the Sy family and their guests. The Bishop later presided over the ceremonial turnover to its chaplain Father Romy Samaniego.
Capping the event was a MOA signing by SM Prime Holdings president Hans T. Sy and SM Hotels and Convention Corporations president Elizabeth T. Sy with Rev. Father Mariano Baranda, chancellor of the diocese of Pasig.
Quietly elegant, the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod can seat almost 300 people. Mass schedules are Mondays to Saturdays 12 noon and 5 p.m. and on Sundays, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is located at the 7th level of SM Aura Premier, 26th Street Corner McKinley Parkway in Taguig City.
