All photos courtesy of Dr. Raymund Feliciano
In San Juan, Batangas can be found a church dedicated to
the Bohemian (now Czechoslovakia) martyr-saint, San Juan Nepomuceno or St. Johann
of Nepomuk. The Prague University graduate was appointed
pastor of the church of St. Gallus. After earning a doctorate, he was made a
canon, and then Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Prague in 1393.
In San Juan, Batangas can be found a church dedicated to
the Bohemian (now Czechoslovakia) martyr-saint, San Juan Nepomuceno or St. Johann
of Nepomuk. The Prague University graduate was appointed
pastor of the church of St. Gallus. After earning a doctorate, he was made a
canon, and then Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Prague in 1393. It was said
that because of his refusal of King Wenceslaus IV’s command to reveal the confessions made by his Queen Sophia, the king ordered him tortured
and thrown into the Moldau River. As such, San Juan is the patron saint of Czech
Republic, bridge builders, confessors and is invoked against floods, slander
and indiscretions.
The Recollects ran the church until 1978, and the
administration was transferred to the Oblates of St. Joseph. The same missionary
order was responsible for making more major church improvements in 1995.
The 3-level church façade features a newer portico, three
rosette windows between 4 columns, a
second-tier supported by 2 columns with a niche containing a stone statue of
San Juan Nepomuceno, and a pediment topped with a cross. The bell
tower, with its midcentury design, seems
out of place alongside the more ancient church. The churchyard is secured with concrete fence.
The age-old statue of San Juan Nepomuceno is featured
prominently in the central niche of the altar mayor. He is shown wearing his
biretta, and around him is a halo of 5 stars commemorating the stars that hovered and lit
his body, on the night of his murder. His iconography includes a crucifix and a
pam of martyrdom. In Latin America, he is depicted with a padlock on his lips
to symbolize his vow of confidentiality of confessions.
Inside the church are a number of old, church-owned images
including a Dolorosa, Sto. Entierro and a Nazareno.
In comparison with the more well-known churches of Batangas
like San Sebastian of Lipa, St, Martin of Tours Basilica of Taal and St. Rafael
in Calaca, the San Juan Nepomuceno Church may not look as spectacular , but remains one of the
cultural treasures of the province.
SOURCE:
Oblates of St. Joseph website:
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