Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Pasay City

Located adjacent to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III in the City of Pasay, the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus has one of the most eye-catching architectural designs among the churches in Manila. 

Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Details

Also called Shrine of St. Therese and Columbarium, this unique-looking church actually started as a makeshift chapel constructed in 1947 by a chaplain assigned to the Philippine Air Force. 

Shrine of St. Therese, Doctor of the Child Jesus

Originally, the church was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. It was expanded and reconstructed several times in order to serve the spiritual needs of the increasing number of Philippine Air Force personnel.

St. Therese watches over all who pass by.

The church underwent a major reconstruction in the 1980s. It was then consecrated on December 16, 1983, and was dedicated to St. Therese of the Child Jesus by Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

Interior of the church

Church altar

Check out the glassworks displayed atop the altar.

The adoration chapel

The confessionals

Pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus "visited" the church during the Great Jubilee year of 2000. The church was declared Diocesan Shrine of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines years later, on May 17, 2007, during the 82nd anniversary of the canonization of St. Therese.

Check out the life story of St. Therese from these stained windows.

My first visit to the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus was entirely unplanned. At that time, my primary purpose was to pick up my father, who was arriving from Legazpi City. Arriving at the airport earlier than expected, I discovered that his flight was delayed by an hour. Fortunately, I had brought my camera with me.

To make use of the extra time, I decided to visit the Aeronautics Museum, conveniently located near the airport. However, upon arriving, I was informed that the museum was closed on Sundays. While driving back to the airport, I noticed a distinctively designed structure just a few blocks away. Intrigued, I navigated towards it, and to my surprise, discovered it was a church—the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Even more fortuitous was the fact that a mass was still ongoing when I arrived.

St. Therese as seen from the road near NAIA III

As luck would have it, my father's flight was delayed by an additional hour, allowing me to attend the mass and explore the beautiful church afterward. I took several photos, though I did regret being alone, as there was no one to take a picture of me in this remarkable setting.

Despite this minor inconvenience, I can confidently say that the Shrine of St. Therese, Doctor of the Church, is a wonderful place to visit. One particularly commendable feature of the church is its underground parking—an added convenience that is completely free of charge. I highly recommend a visit to this shrine, especially if you find yourself with time to spare while waiting for a flight.

Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Admission Fee

It's FREE to enter and explore the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Operating Hours

The office of the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus is open from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Why visit the Shrine of St Therese of the Child Jesus?

The Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus is a serene and beautifully designed church offering a peaceful retreat for visitors. Its convenient location near the airport makes it an ideal stop for those with extra time, and its underground parking—provided free of charge—adds to the ease of visiting. The church's stunning architecture and sacred ambiance create a spiritually uplifting experience, and attending a mass or simply exploring its grounds allows for moments of reflection and gratitude. Whether you're seeking solace, an architectural gem, or a meaningful detour, the Shrine of St. Therese is a worthwhile destination.

Getting to the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus:

From Manila, board a taxi and tell the driver to bring you directly to the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. In case he's unfamiliar, tell him to bring you to Ninoy Aquino International Airport III. The Shrine is just across the street.

Ratings:

Pilgrim

Cleanliness

Overall rating