SAN RAFAEL... A BEAUTIFUL SANCTUARY

The facade of San Rafael Parish Church in Pasay City

The beautiful retablo mayor as well as the altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus gleam in gold

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Rev. Fr. Rey A. Cruz as he delivers the homily during High Mass. Beside him is the altar of San Rafael the archangel with the young Tobias.

An image of the Risen Christ, along with other reproductions of famous artworks on the life of Jesus Christ, line the upper wall of the central nave.

The icon of Nuestra Senora del Rosario with Baby Jesus attracts devotees to the church's left inner aisle.

A stained glass interpretation of Jesus, Mary and the three archangels San Rafael, San Miguel and San Gabriel guards the choir loft.

The central nave of the church with the golden retablo mayor and two side altars present a striking spectacle viewed from the choir loft.

The belfry with Belgian carillon bells signals the beginning and the end of every mass.

In a country dotted with numerous Catholic churches that date back to the 16th century when the Christian faith took root in these tropical islands, San Rafael in Park Avenue, Pasay City is by no means old. At 60, it is a church wrapped in relative stillness. Unlike the capacious shrines of devotion that can accommodate scores of believers, it is compactly built. Therein lies its irresistible charm. Diminutive in scale but immense in beauty, one can sit inside for hours, train the eyes on various decorative details that evoke delight, and feel the presence of God more acutely.

Commanding attention and creating a breathtaking sight is the gleaming retablo mayor that harks back to the days of Spanish colonial rule when churches were not simply places of worship but intricate paeans to the Catholic faith.

San Rafael’s retablo is slim and less elaborate but eye-catching in the graceful fluidity of its lines. Made of carved wood, it incorporates various design elements—such as fluted colonnades, baroque-inspired scroll work on the upper wings, and lattice work that act as a linear background to the niches.

On days when the sun shines brightly, the altars catch the rays and reflect the light into the church—appearing ablaze with the sun’s own fire and bathing the altar and nave in golden light. On cool, rainy days, they provide muted warmth and a soft glow that inspire quiet reflection and a deep communion with God.

Text and photos by Vix Sev