It’s been awhile since I visited the Our Lady of Mt. Matutum Trappistine’s Monastery nettled at the foot of Mt. Matutum in Barangay Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato.
That is why I didn’t hesitate a bit when invited to hear mass at their chapel, last Sunday. I felt it was time to revisit South Cotabato’s famous monastery and retreat house.
We were early by 15 minutes before the scheduled mass at 10:00 am when we arrived. Although we couldn’t get choice seats at the wooden benches inside the cross-shaped chapel, we managed to situate ourselves near the entrance steps, on plastic chairs.
Our group still had a good view of the officiating priest who conducted the mass in English and although he was speaking softly, his words were still audible to us.
We could only see a few nuns from our vantage point but their presence was unmistakable because their voices were reverberating all throughout the chapel while singing the missal hymns and responses.
After the hour long mass, the churchgoers composed mostly of families and barkadas had a field day taking selfies of themselves amidst the imposing entrance and huge doors of the chapel and the church belfy on the background.
Situated on top of a hill, the view below of nearby farms, villages and mountain ranges is definitely breathtaking.
I noticed some remarkable changes at the Trappistine’s Monastery though.
At what used to be the parking lot, a new building now houses the mess hall for retreatants. This is linked from the old main building via a roofed canopy walk.
Farther down is a smaller building that is now the Store and Gift shop of the Trappistine nuns.
This is where they sell religious articles like rosaries, stampitas, mass cards, crucifixes, greeting cards, bibles, among others. A section also displays the nuns’ own delicious baked and processed goodies, perfect for pasalubong.
Across the store is a picnic groove complete with tables and benches for people who want to spend bonding time with their families.
About 10 meters down overlooking a cliff is the monastery’s Adoration Chapel. This is the most significant expansion at the Trappistine’s Monastery because here the retreatants can spend some precious and privates times to reflect.
Making it even more special is its balcony that gives one an awesome view of God’s creations including majestic Mt. Matutum and the overlying verdant hills and fields. Imagine reflecting there during sunset.
Sunday mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of Mt. Matutum Trappistine Monastery is at 10:00am. Be sure to log in at their Guest Book at the Main Gate .
The Our Lady of Mt. Matutum Trappistine Monastery may be contacted through the following numbers in case you want to undergo a retreat with your family, office mates, group or by yourself. You may also call them for advanced or bulk orders on their goodies.
- +63-920-4377-357
- +63-919-271-3330
- +63-943-3392-839
HOW TO GET THERE:
From the Gensan Public Terminal at Bulaong Road, take any of the buses (Yellow Bus, Husky Bus, Holiday Bus) that can drop you off at Polomolok Public Terminal. From there, you can take a habal-habal for P50-P75 to the Trappistine’s Monastery. Be sure to wear a dust mask or head covering. The ride could be very dusty as you will be traversing Dole Philippines Cannery Roads.
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