A Pilgrimage To Tarlac : San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish / Diocesan Shrine of San Nicolas De Tolenitino (Capas, Tarlac)

After visiting the Santo Niño Parish in Bamban, Tarlac, we headed to our next destination, the San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish in Capas. The church was canonically erected in 1776 but much like most churches in the province, the San Nicolas De Tolentino or Apung Kulas parish also suffered from  devastating fate. The church went trough a series of renovation.
It is very interesting to note that the church was recently elevated to a Diocesan Shrine of Apung Kulas. The celebration and declaration of the Diocesan Shrine of San Nicolas De Tolentino was held last April 14. 

Photo Credit : Seminario San Agustin Intramuros
On the same day, a first class relic (bone particle) from San Nicolas De Tolentino was enthroned in the parish. The relic was sent from Rome, Italy to the community of Capas by Fr. Josef Sciberras. Saint Nicolas Tolentine or known to locals of Capas as Apung Kulas is the Patron of the Holy Souls. He became a monk when he was 18 and was ordained a priest by the time he was 25.  They said that when San Nicolas prayed over a bread and use it to feed the sick, they will be healed and cured. The saint is attributed to many miracles and 3 or them were said to be resurrections.

The church features a simple facade with a cupola on top. It also features a bell tower located few meters away from the church. An image of San Nicolas De Tolentino is also displayed on the front yard.
The bell tower

The Parish Pastoral Center. San Nicolas De Tolentino offers a very spacious area outside. The place is merely surrounded by huge trees providing a serene and relaxing atmosphere.
Located near the church is the Dominican College of Tarlac formerly known as the San Nicolas Academy. The Academy was established in 1947.

The Retablo was not yet completed when we arrived there but it is already finished during the Declaration of the church as San Nicolas De Tolentino Shrine.

The New retablo of the Diocesan Shrine of San Nicolas De Tolentino (Photo Credit : CapasTarlac.Gov.ph)

They also placed a nice I Love Apung Kulas standee on the church’s front yard