Church of the Gesu (Philippines)

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Ateneo de Manila University campus
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The Church of the Gesù
Use University Church
Erected 2001 - 2002
Location Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Architect Jose Pedro Recio and Carmelo Casas
Website http://www.ateneo.edu

The Church of the Gesù is a landmark church of the Ateneo de Manila University campus in the Philippines. Designed by Jose Pedro Recio and Carmelo Casas (both alumni of the Ateneo de Manila High School), the edifice’s massive triangular structure symbolizes the Holy Trinity, as well as the three-fold mission and vision of the school. Its shape and design is also meant to suggest the outstretched arms of the Sacred Heart, and the traditional Filipino bahay kubo. The site has a total area of 10,200 square meters, and a seating capacity of 1,000 persons. The church is situated on Sacred Heart Hill, a small hill overlooking Bellarmine Field and believed to be the highest point in Loyola Heights. In its immediate vicinity are the dormitories (Cervini and Eliazo Halls) and the John Pollock Renewal Center. The peak cross, and carillon (see below) of the church can be seen from Katipunan Avenue, which borders the campus to the west.

One side of the Church houses a side chapel dedicated to Mary in the mystery of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Ateneo de Manila and of the Philippines, while another side chapel is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion committed to the Jesuits by the appearances of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary at Paray-le-Monial.

In front of the church is the Sacred Heart statue. The statue depicts Jesus with welcoming, outstretched arms. At the base of the statue is an inscription from Matthew 11:28: "Come to me all of you who are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and gentle of heart, thus you will find refreshment for your souls. My yoke is sweet and my burden light." The small field to the north side of the church has a statue depicting the Agony in the Garden.

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[edit] History

The Ateneo de Manila acquired a campus in what would become Loyola Heights, Quezon City in the late 1940s. In 1952, when the Ateneo transferred to Loyola Heights from Padre Faura, Fr. William Masterson, S.J. envisioned the construction of a church on the campus. However, only the Blue Eagle Gym (located near the Grade School) stood, having been the first structure built in what would eventually be Loyola Heights.

It was not until around 50 years later that construction of the church began. On September 30, 2001 the cornerstone of the church was blessed and laid. The church dedication liturgy for the church was celebrated by Jaime Cardinal Sin on July 31, 2002. It was attended by several distinguished guests, including former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.

In 2005, a 19-bell chime was added to the church, a donation from the High School class of 1960 and the College class of 1964.

[edit] Added information

  • The altar is supported by a slab of adobe rock, believed to be in abundant supply underneath the Loyola Heights campus. Since in Catholic practice the ultimate sacrifice of the Christ is presented to God upon the altar, the altar was made to be supported by the adobe rock to symbolize that the Ateneo in itself is an altar where many sacrifices are offered.
  • The crucifix inside the church is unusual, in that it depicts Jesus looking skywards, contrary to many crucifixes that have Jesus bowing his head. It skyward-looking interpretation of the crucifixion refers in a way to the idealism and hope that should be instilled in Ateneans.
  • Inside the Church's western entrance, surrounded by a semicircle of a stained glass depiction of the Stations of the Cross, there is the church's holy water stoup. It is interesting to note that it is made in a hole in the floor, its rim surrounded by the rays of the Jesuits' seal. The stoup itself is an upright brown stone, with a depression on top acting as the basin and the outlet for the water covered with a clay plate with the Jesuit seal. The water in this stoup, like a fountain, flows over the sides, therefore the water is not stagnant and does not contain any debris, unlike most water stoups.

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Ateneo de Manila University
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Ateneo de Manila University

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