The Miraculous Well Of Sta Lucia And The San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps

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While exploring the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay some of the candle vendors (who warmly greeted us during our arrival) encouraged us to visit a miraculous well not too far from the site. They’re calling it as the Miraculous well of Saint Lucy (Sta Lucia) while others are calling the place as “Banal na Pook” (Sacred Place). The place where the miraculous well is situated can be accessed through the so-called San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps. P7261067tIt is a giant staircase composing of 125 steps that connects the Shrine to Taal Basilica and the town center. Originally, the steps were made of adobe stone, but these were later replaced with granite or batong song-song in the year 1850 by Fr. Celestino Mayordomo. It is now dedicated to the memory of San Lorenzo RuizP7261070tOur Pilgrim group heading the miraculous well. There were no signs or indication telling you that you are nearly approaching the miraculous site so it is better to advice the locals to guide you. We are guided by the candle vendors into the site.
P7261075tThere’s a place where you can offer candles along the way.P7261076tA picture attached to the wall depicting the apparition that took place in the well. Allow me to give you some history about it. In 1611, a girl named Catalina and her companion were by the spring at a hillside not far from where the image of the Lady was originally found to gather firewood and fetch water when she saw the image of the Lady brilliantly reflected in the springwater. Local stories narrate that the two women saw the Lady with two candles on her side on a Sampaga tree branch, surrounded by kasay-kasay birds. Since its discovery, many have attested that the spring water has miraculous healing and therapeutic powers. P7261082tThe spot where the well which reflected the image of Our Lady is marked by a coral stone arch with a bas relief image of the Virgin on its façade. It was built in early 1600. P7261078tThey said that the carving technique is quite ancient, and it has been used independently in many civilizations like the Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. However, the exact reason for St Lucy’s name being attached to the spring has been lost, as was the date of its construction.
P7261080tHere’s the water coming from the well. Anyone is entitled to interact with these water. Some rinse their face from it while other are even drinking it as they believed that this miraculous water has therapeutic effect!

19 thoughts on “The Miraculous Well Of Sta Lucia And The San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps

    • October 5, 2015 at 12:22 pm
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      yes, we saw great crowd when we arrived there

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  • October 5, 2015 at 5:38 am
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    i love the very first photo, it’s so beautifully taken.. the greens from the trees as well as the plants actually added colors to the ancient well and the path towards it.. built in early 1600, wow, that is 400 years old already and the well is still functioning giving out clean water to the pilgrims!! that’s amazing.. but you didn’t seem to take any photo of the well huh?? 🙂

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    • October 5, 2015 at 12:22 pm
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      Actually I did.. the two small arches at the bottom of the entire arch are the twin wells

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  • October 5, 2015 at 2:13 pm
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    There is so much to know in just one post. The history is interesting as well as the story of the apparition. The religious affinity of the Filipinos to things miraculous is still observed today and this is what we call faith. Without faith, we have nothing to hold on.

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    • October 5, 2015 at 9:31 pm
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      so true Sir Jonathan
      thank for dropping by

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  • October 6, 2015 at 10:13 am
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    Did you drink the water from the well?

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    • October 6, 2015 at 9:25 pm
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      nope.. just rinse my face ^_^

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  • October 6, 2015 at 7:38 pm
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    Even if im not a catholic i also believe in miracles, for our God alone uses miracles to make people believe that He exist. May the people who believe this miracle, the well, may find Jesus in their hearts. 🙂

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    • October 6, 2015 at 9:25 pm
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      thanks Steve

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  • October 7, 2015 at 6:54 am
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    I must remember this San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps and the magic well of holy water.
    I might want to take a bucket and shower my whole body so that I could be healthy and younger again. LOL

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    • October 7, 2015 at 7:21 am
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      LOL.. thanks TM ^_^

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  • October 7, 2015 at 1:14 pm
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    Well, this is nice to discover for a day and the place looks so enchanted. Some stories are just an imagination for some and true for devoted people.

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    • October 8, 2015 at 12:15 am
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      thanks Sir fernando

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  • October 7, 2015 at 3:37 pm
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    It’s amazing that the well has been there since the 1600. It’s worth visiting the place and checking out the miraculous well.

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    • October 8, 2015 at 12:15 am
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      thanks Franc

      Reply
  • October 7, 2015 at 3:51 pm
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    I like the ruins…it reminded me of the Ruins of St. Paul Church in Macau:)

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    • October 8, 2015 at 12:15 am
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      thanks Jojo

      Reply
  • October 14, 2015 at 6:23 am
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    It’s amazing how the 1600 structure still stands today. Relics like these should be preserved by the government.

    Reply

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