The Mother of Perpetual Help National Shrine otherwise known as Baclaran or Redemptorist Church is probably one of the churches I have visited the most. Wednesday has always been Baclaran day for my Dad for as long as I can remember, and as soon as I was old enough, I started going, too.
At the main altar, the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is situated and to get near and touch, one must fall in line on the right side of the church (facing the altar). There is, however, another image at the area where candles are lit; a mosaic gifted to the church by a foreign artist. The smaller crucifix is also in the same area where the candles are, but the bigger, free-standing crucifix is at the main church (by the main entrance), near the encased image of the Sto. Niño.
Masses on Wednesdays are held every hour starting from 5:30 in the morning until 7 in the evening, with a break between 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. as the priests and lay ministers take a break for lunch.
Baclaran is pretty convenient to go to for commuters as the area is a turn-around point for buses and jeepneys from all over Manila and neighboring cities. For those who intend to bring their cars, I personally suggest that you find parking across the row of restaurants and buildings facing Roxas Boulevard and just walk towards the church.
Nowadays, Baclaran isn't just known for the church, but also for bargain shopping. Hundreds of vendors display along the street their items ranging from phone cables, ladies' accessories, shoes, clothes, snacks, and so much more. This of course is aside from the shopping malls that populate the area. read more