Our mother’s house, a place of refuge

To whom do we run when our hearts are weary? To our mother.

This was the idea that inspired Father Dennis Paez, SDB, and supportive friends to erect the Ephesus House: a place of refuge, healing and renewal.

The goal was to have a place where people with troubled hearts would be able to come. It was a dream in the making for 17 years.

Father Dennis shares that he had almost given up so many times because he found it was not realistic. But it also wouldn’t die.

Six or seven years ago, he looked into almost 50 potential locations. There were kind offers in other provinces—even on an island. But his heart was set on Tagaytay to make it accessible. And the climate helps. It saves on electricity as it is cool there. “We must also rely on Divine Providence. How is it is going to survive? It is going to be through the Blessed Mother.”

“The inspiration is taken from nature itself. When migrating birds travel great distances and one goes down unable to continue flight, two other birds accompany that one until it dies or gets better to join the next flock. Nature takes care of its own. We humans do too.”

Members of the community help another that is wounded. “So that is what this place is. Everyone that comes is sent by the Blessed Mother. There are no advertisements, no questions asked. All are welcome, as Jesus, in his many distressing disguises.”

Father Dennis continues to explain, “The concept of the hermitage is really an apostolate of hospitality and provides an opportunity for families to do meaningful service as a family. (The workforce) will be made up of volunteers: families can come and cook, cut the grass, listen to who needs (listening to), and then leave.”

The building is a faithful copy of the home in Ephesus, Turkey, where Mary the mother of Jesus lived out her later years. It was built for her by St. John the Beloved, to whom Jesus entrusted his mother at the foot of the cross. Following the martyrdom of St. James the Great, it was essential to move her away from Jerusalem where there was still much persecution of those who followed the way of Christ. 

The apostles were constantly visiting the Blessed Mother at Ephesus, especially in those critical and dangerous early years of the Church when they were ministering and spreading the Good News. They sought her wisdom, counsel and consolation. From her they were encouraged and drew strength.

St. Luke was a frequent visitor, and it was during his time here that he obtained the Infancy Narratives as told to him by the Virgin Mary herself—such as stories about the three Magi, and losing Jesus in the temple when he was a boy.

It was also here where icons began. Icons are windows to the Divine. Luke had a vision of the Blessed Mother and Jesus. He painted it on the table where they were eating. Since then, all icons were created following rigid laws in the tradition that began from St. Luke, the first iconographer. This is why there are many icons at the Ephesus house in Alfonso.

The Ephesus House in the hills of Alfonso, Cavite offers the same solace and safety for the spirit. Here, one can pray surrounded, too, by relics of beloved saints who have also walked this earth and have carried their own crosses towards holiness.

It took nine months to build. Working closely with Father Dennis were the dedicated members of the Ephesus House Foundation: Yvonne Dayrit-Romualdez, Mae V. Cu Unjieng, Liza Yao-Bate and Patty Pineda-Galang. Painstakingly accurate measurements of the original structure were taken by them. The stones used were found in Ilocos, and the Ephesus Foundation board members supervised their manufacture to ensure a naturally random, unmeasured appearance.

For now, the central structure in the spacious property is the Ephesus House. Future plans include a pilgrim’s center, hermitage, a chapel to accommodate 200-300 persons, and spaces for retreats, counseling and, perhaps much later, icon-writing and art therapy classes. Father Dennis adds, “We set some deadlines but it really is up to the Blessed Mother.”

His Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles J. Brown, came to celebrate the Holy Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and meaningfully it was also his own sacerdotal anniversary. He blessed the grounds where the convent structures are to be erected.

The Nuncio had a beautiful description of Ephesus house in his homily: “When we are here we feel so profoundly, so intimately, the presence of the Mother of God, the presence of Mama Mary.”

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Ephesus House is located at 217 Buck Estate Road, Alfonso, Cavite and can be reached by calling 0954 3342825.