sacred relic of the true cross

I have no qualms about the place, I just joined my travelling companion and what I saw next truly mesmerized me. First, the sunrise going up the mountain was gorgeous, lost is the concrete jungle now replaced by the provincial ambiance of farms, trees, animals and lots of vegetation. Fresh air abounds and a river's reflection caught my attention. The road was winding and surprisingly well paved and made the 20+ kilometers a breeze. At the site, the monastery was spacious and is located on top of a hill with an awesome view of the surrounding mountains and farms without, no made made structures so far. We had the privilege to venerate the Sacred Relic of the Cross of Christ and reflected on the suffering of Christ and looked into myself.We enjoyed the view from the top of the mountain.I would like to return soon with my whole family.

Going to the place is around 45mins from Tarlac City.Going there, you will enjoy the greenery,farmers titling the soil and animals such as carabao, cows and goats everywhere. The Monastery is situated up in the hill, its a long travel but it's worth it. The beautiful overlooking scenery, one of the biggest and highest Jesus Christ Image I have ever seen is also found in Monasterio de San Jose.

Our first time to visit the Sacred Relic as part of our Visita Iglesia. Make sure your your cars are well maintained if you plan to visit the place since it's location is located on top of the mountain in San Jose, quite far but the 34kms distance from Tarlac City is definitely worth it - people there are very organized, visible security, ample parking space, well paved roads. They put up a video " Passion of Christ" for people waiting in next shift prior to attending mass and ceremony (touching the golden box where the relic is intombed). You can feel the sincerity of the Monastery brothers as they welcome you and feel the solemnity of the place. They also have free comfort rooms. Food sale for devotees outside the church. A very good place to make sacrifices and feel the warmth and goodness of our Creator.

On our way to the Monastery, the sun was bright and it was a beautiful morning drive on a narrow paved road which seemed to take us to the middle of nowhere. Signages were inconsistent and somewhat confusing. We made one wrong turn and lost our way a couple of times. As we finally found the right way to our destination, we enjoyed the fresh air drive through cattle farms, and endless dense growth of trees and shrubs through a winding road up to the top of the mountain where the sprawling monastery was located. It was spacious at the top with some building structures, a chapel, a picnic area and big clean restrooms. The huge statue of the Risen Christ stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the vast mountain terrain and a spectacular view. After frantic photoshoots happened, we wandered around the grounds to appreciate the solemnity of the surroundings. We attended mass at the beautiful chapel and afterwards, we lined up for the veneration of the sacred relic of the holy Cross.The picnic area is built along the mountain slope. Concrete picnic tables were built on the steps of a cultivated terrace garden, where people can sit and eat their snack "baon" while enjoying the 180 degree panoramic views. While it was the statue of the risen Christ at the mountain top which enticed us to come visit, while the breathtaking view wowed us, and while the attitude of the monastery humbled us, it was the veneration of the sacred relic of the holy Cross and what it symbolized that was so mentally and emotionally refreshing...Thinking of returning in the near future with my daughter and grandchildren. Also it's at the top on my list of places to show off to my siblings when our reunion finally happens.

Where pure serenity and peace is , the Sacred Relic of The True Cross gave me such feeling as I venerate and said my thanksgiving prayers during the mass.We saw the relic as it was enshrined in the chapel and we were given the chance to view and touch the glass box where it is intombed. For a pilgrim like me going to places like this is a chance of me to touch God's fullness and be part of the thousands of people whose personal intentions provide the place a sea of faces awed in prayers and thanksgiving.The Sacred Relic of the True Cross is at the Monasterio the Tarlac maintained by the Servants of the Risen Christ Congregation.The Monasterio itself is a place that gives you a wonderful top view, so peaceful, with its verdant surrounds of plains and blue green mountains and the ambiance gives one's spirit a reinvigorating feel as the cool breeze touches your skin.The Priests and Brothers are truly welcoming.

This is our second time to visit Monasterio De Tarlac. And still, we love it. We attended the 10:30am Sunday mass and we really felt the healing and solemnity of the place. You would not feel bored or sleepy with the two-hour mass. I really loved the part where people would form a line to offer their envelopes with prayer intentions written and the priest would pray over us. Right after the mass, they would allow visitors to have a quick experience of going near the sacred relic of the Holy Cross. The view was still amaaaaaaaaazzzzziiiing because you were standing on top of Mt Ressurrecion. Restrooms were very clean --- well maintained. Be sure your car is in good condition as well as your driver before going up the Monasterio.

My family and i visited this place which was more known as Monasteryo de Tarlac without any idea what it actually was. From what we have heard then, it has a breathtaking view from the top. Little did we know, despite the name, that it was indeed a Monasteryo. Being non-Catolics, of course we were more interested in the view and the grounds, no offense meant by that. We respect Catholics, and all other religions for that matter.Anyways... Going there was difficult especially for first-timers who were not sure which way to go. It was like going to Baguio, what with all the steep zigzag roads. But the view up there was worth it. It was a very quiet place that was good for relaxation, meditation and just having quiet conversations with your loved ones and friends. They were not very strict on food being brought, but of course one should know better than to bring alcoholic beverages. Duh?! We enjoyed a good two hours there and did not want to haste going back downtown, if not for the poorly lit roads. It would be advisable to go there at daytime and go back down before the sun sets...

I wouldn't have known that it exists if I weren't from Tarlac. It is a steep climb and you would see it's really atop a mountain. your car should be in good condition when you go there. jeepneys even put rock or kalso while going up. once up there, you'll say that it's definitely worth it. aside from the Holy Relic being there, the scenery was just so wonderful. there are also other activities after attending the mass. you can either go up to have picnic at the grove or go down to swim in the river in Lubigan or do sport activities at Tarlac Recreational Park.

My daughter told me about this place. Coming from Manila, take the NLEX and SCTEX. Exit at the last toll. We left Alabang (on a Sunday there's less traffic) at 8.10 a.m. and got to Gerona at 10.40 a.m. About an hour's drive away from Gerona, Tarlac (where we had lunch in Isdaan.) The monastery is nestled high up in Mt. Resureccion. The road up the mountain is rather good . There are signages but we asked around while going from Gerona to San Jose, Tarlac. The place is so serene. And you'd be amazed finding a place like this high up the mountains. You can have a good view of the mountains surrounding the area.There's a very small chapel where the priest talked about the origins of the monastery. The restrooms are clean and well maintained. There were souvenir items but they werent as good as the ones found in the Manaoag shrine. A make-shift diner for pilgrims who want quick refreshments, but nothing really fancy. On our way back to Manila, we had the misfortune of taking the alternate route, thanks to that green signage that looked really "official"... Unfortunately, the alternate route was really more of a series of dirt roads and unfinished concrete roads which took us to Capas, Tarlac. It felt like an eternity of dirt roads amidst empty farmlands that stretched like eternity. Ones we hit Capas, it was a smooth drive passing thru small towns that led to Mabalacat, though. I think once the roads there are done, it will provide a good bypass road for a faster travel to the Monasterio. Might be back for the Holy Week.

It was indeed a memorable experience to visit Monasterio de Tarlac. We enjoyed the view going up to Mt. Resurrection. Just make sure that your car is in good condition before going there. Nothing to worry if it's your first time, signages are everywhere to guide you to Monasterio. We went there on a Sunday and we were able to catch the 10:30am mass. The celebration was very solemn---really a place to meditate. After the mass, church-goers could take pictures all over the place. It was like you're on top of the world since you could see mountains, ricefields, roads, etc. Souveniers were also available but the most unique experience was to actually visit the place where the true sacred relic of the cross was preserved.

My wife, Guia, my son Darius, and his wife Noreen visited the place June 13, 2012. We left Makati, Philippines (near MMDA) and traveled using the Honda City that Darius drove. Travel time via the North Luzon Expressway to Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac was three hours. We had breakfast in Hacienda Luisita, then we traveled to Monasterio de Tarlac - in 45 minutes.We attended the mass there. The volunteers who said they came from the surrounding village working were helpful and courteous answering our questions.

I actually visited this place last November 2010 with some of my Highschool friends. We did not actually plan this trip but for us to explore Tarlac we decided to visit the Monasterio de Tarlac while on our way to La Union. The view going to this place is really amazing. You can appreciate the countryside of the Philippines by looking to the mountains, rivers and rice fields. The place is quiet and the perfect place to meditate, to talk to GOD and to relax while enjoying the great sceneries from your left to right. Try to level up the your adventure to more meaningful nature and holy adventure by visiting this place.

If you're travelling with your parents for pilgrimage this is a good place, if you have kids with you, always guard them as they don't have safety rails on the top of the hill. Nice view.

Enjoyed the beautiful drive to The sacred relic and the church is very modern an religious feeling. Actually being in the presence of a piece of the original cross is quite exciting !!

The place, the church is very solemn, perfect place to pray and meditate since it's on top of a hill.