Sunday, April 3, 2016

A Heavenly Park in Batangas...The Marian Orchard


THE MARIAN ORCHARD

Located in Brgy. Malabanan, Balete, Batangas, the Marian Orchard is a 5-hectare Catholic-themed park/complex inspired by the religious shrines of Italy and other European countries.   The place was founded by Larry Katigbak who hails from a poor family in Quezon. Ka Larry studied and finished accountancy while working in a textile manufacturing factory and was able to have a great career selling encyclopedia which gave him wealth and  allowed him to travel overseas. Having received so much blessings in life, he initially built a plant sactuary for his love of plants.  Inspired by his travels abroad, later on the place became the Maria Orchard fueled by his fervent love of God and devotion to Mama Mary. His ultimate goal was to help the church bring Christ to the people and the people to Christ.




The Sacred Heart Tower... A replica of Brazil's Christ, the Redeemer statue found in the Sugarloaf Mountain in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro


The small chapel

 The Marian Orchard is a venue for reflection and meditation and a frequently visited site during Holy Week


 A tranquil and peaceful place for prayer and soul searching

 The Risen Christ

The crucifixion of Christ

 Padre Pio and the Station of the Cross behind it

 Jesus, The Healer

 Inside the small chapel


The Angel fountain surrounded by flowering plants and trees

 The Meditation Garden

 Apostle's Plaza leading to the Chapel of Our Lady of Mediatrix 

 "Pomarium Mariae" (Marian Orchard) Facade

 The Lord is my Shepherd garden




 St. Joseph

 The bricked road with beautiful flowers going to Our Lady of Mediatrix Chapel.  At the center of the road is a wishing well.

Our Lady of Mediatrix

To continuously care for the Marian Orchard, Larry was able to establish a partnership with First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities of Tanauan City, Batangas which gave way to the formation of the Marian Orchard Faith Association.  The group tasked to take care of the Marian Orchard facilities and amenities with the goal to make the Orchard profitable to support missionary works.



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http://heavenlybaked-elvierose.blogspot.com

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