The San Beda Chapel in Mendiola, Manila

Image of the Sto. Niño or Holy Child at the back of the Chapel

This is the continuation of my visit at Centro Escolar University. After touring me around CEU Library and Museum, Bro. Jayson Leones with Bro. TJ Javier and Sis. April Hazel accompanied me to the San Beda Chapel almost right in front of CEU. The Chapel was closed because there were works being done then but Bro. Jayson being a prayerful guy and is frequently visiting the place knows the porter and we were given permission to enter.

One of the Two Angels of pure marble, carrying the Holy Water font

This is my first time to enter the San Beda College and the universities nearby because right after finishing High School in our province I didn't get the chance to study in any of these strings of universities in the area. Instead I entered the Somascan Seminary where our formation was mostly concentrated in the seminary area. Thus, I am very very grateful to Bro. Jayson and company for this opportunity. To give you a basic history of this prestigious College here it is:

The 2nd Angel at the entrance of the Chapel

San Beda College From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

San Beda College (SBC) (Spanish for Saint Bede) (or Kolehiyo ng San Beda in Filipino is a private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located at Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila. It was founded in 1901 primarily to "defend the Catholic battlements in the field of education."[1] San Beda, which was known then as El Colegio de San Beda, started as an all-boys grade school. It has since then expanded to a full college with both undergraduate and post-graduate degree offerings. It has two other campuses: the San Beda College-Rizal (the largest San Beda campus in size) and the San Beda College Alabang (formerly known as St. Benedict College and Benedictine Abbey School) located in Alabang Hills Village in Muntinlupa City. The San Beda Graduate School of Liturgy in Manila traces its academic roots and origins to the PIL.

The Holy Cross near the main Entrance

Located in a once quiet, middle-class residential area, San Beda College is now part of Manila's bustling University Belt, an irregular crescent curving for about six kilometers through six districts of Manila, containing more than thirty colleges and universities.

San Beda College offers programs in the fields of accountancy, business, marketing, and law. At present, the Benedictine College has seven departments: the Basic Education Department; the College of Arts and Sciences, which offers liberal arts, science and business programs; the College of Law, founded in 1948; the Graduate Schools of Business, Liturgy and Law; the College of Medicine, and the College of Nursing. In 2003, the once all-male San Beda College finally opened its doors to female students and relocated its Basic Education Department (pre-school to high school) to a new and bigger campus in Taytay, Rizal.

The Plaque commemorating the visit and celebration of the Holy Mass in the place by ST. MAXIMILIAN MARIA KOLBE

San Beda College offers programs in the fields of accountancy, business, marketing, and law. At present, the Benedictine College has seven departments: the Basic Education Department; the College of Arts and Sciences, which offers liberal arts, science and business programs; the College of Law, founded in 1948; the Graduate Schools of Business, Liturgy and Law; the College of Medicine, and the College of Nursing. In 2003, the once all-male San Beda College finally opened its doors to female students and relocated its Basic Education Department (pre-school to high school) to a new and bigger campus in Taytay, Rizal.

The Chapel viewed from the entrance

The school is a founding member of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where it competes in sports such as basketball, football, swimming, taekwondo, and lawn tennis. The school has adopted for itself the moniker, "San Beda Red Lions." The San Beda Red Lions is the defending champion in the 84th NCAA basketball season. Its brother school, San Beda College Alabang is a member of sports leagues such as the WNCAA, NCAA South and the National Cheerleading Competition (NCC).

A portion of the left side of the Chapel

San Beda College counts among its notable alumni the late Senator and hero Benigno Aquino, Jr., the late statesman and former senator Raul Roco, former speaker Ramon V. Mitra, human rights advocate and former senator Rene V. Saguisag, San Miguel Corporation chairman Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., corporate magnate and PLDT Chairman Dr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura, and Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Atty. Leila De Lima.

Sunlights provide golden glow to the serene beauty of the House of Worship

I was not able to visit the San Beda College proper due to lack of time. I told my companions that a visit in the Chapel would be enough for me. Indeed, it was a wonderful expererience. The Chapel then was a little bit dim because all the lights were off but from the sunlights sneeking in through the windows I was able to see the beauty of its architectural and artistic genius.

The Holy Cross majestically enthroned in front of the Altar

The columns, the steel bars and the Altar of Sacrifice are elaborately designed almost similar to those in Alhambra, Spain. If I'm not mistaken it is a Morocco design. But instead of looking like an Arab shrine the design received a certain twist that makes it obviously Christian.

The magnificent brazen candelabra carrying the Easter Candle

Each column is very high and every one is crowned with an Angel carrying a lampposts or something similar. Their clothes are golden and made of other striking colors. The sides are decorated by the images of the Station of the Cross and the ceiling is also shining with striking works of arts.

The Altar of Sacrifice

Except with its religious signs and materials the place look like a royal court fit for a king and it is but fitting because Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am imagining what will be the appearance of this House of Worship when all the lights are on and the pews filled with students. The grandeur and majesty will be a worthy honor to the God who came down to Earth to die for our sins.

The beautiful and majestic pipe organ The Holy Child enthroned on the High Altar in a magnificent retablo

The Church from the Altar. Suffused by heavenly lights

The Blessed Sacrament

The image design at the base of the Blessed Sacrament

The Oil Lamp near the Blessed Sacrament

Fr. Abe before the Blessed Sacrament

Fr. Abe at the side of the Altar

Stained Glass depicting the owner of the house -- St. Benedict