Modern Churches - The Church of the Gesù, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine

The Church of the Gesù, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

The Church of the Gesù is situated on Sacred Heart Hill, a small hill overlooking Bellarmine Field and believed to be the highest point in Loyola Heights. Designed by Jose Pedro Recio and Carmelo Casas, The Church of the Gesù is a landmark church of the Ateneo de Manila University campus in the Philippines. The structure’s massive triangle 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.

Outstretched Arms of the Sacred Heart

On September 30, 2001 the cornerstone of the church was blessed and laid. The church dedication liturgy for the church was celebrated by Cardinal Jaime Sin on July 31, 2002. It was attended by several distinguished guests, including former Philippine President Corazon Aquino. The site has a total area of 10,200 square meters, and a seating capacity of 1,000 persons.
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 Jesus's appearances to Margaret Mary at Paray-le-Monial.