Our Lady of Mount Matutum Trappistine Monastery

The road is bumpy and dusty in the midst of hectares upon hectares of pineapple plantations where the canning plant of Dole Philippines is located. About 15 kilometers from the town center of Polomolok is a road that leads to the Trappistine Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Matutum. It is located at the foot of Mt. Matutum in Barangay Landan in Polomolok South Cotabato, after which the monastery got its name. It is home to about 30 or so Trappistine nuns under the Cistercian Order which originated in France. The Trappistine Monastery is a place of prayer, meditation and reflection. The steep drive up the monastery leads to their guest house, where the Stations of the Cross can be found on one side of the road. The guest house is open for visitors and accommodation may be arranged for those who want to go on a retreat or recollection.

Upon entering the place, a small chapel can be found, a few steps up from the parking lot. It has a view of the rolling hills on the horizon. It is where Eucharistic exposition and adoration may be held for those seeking some moments of silence and solitude in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Below the small chapel are three rooms for guests and visitors. A few meters from the chapel is a cottage with two rooms intended for guest priests who may be visiting the place or who may be facilitating a retreat or a recollection.

There is also a store where pastries and bread made by nuns are on sale. They have freshly baked loaf bread and assorted pastries and cookies. Their products are now available in malls, supermarkets and airports in nearby cities and provinces. Other items on sale at their store are books, all occasion cards, and religious articles like rosaries, crucifix and images. The nuns get their support for their daily sustenance mainly from this store.

The dining hall for guests is located between the store and the guest house. The guest house can accommodate about 50 persons for overnight or several nights’ retreat.

Farther up the road past the guest house is the main church of the monastery. It is where the nuns pray and celebrate the Eucharist every day. Once inside the church, one cannot help but be awe inspired to commune with the Divine in utter silence and tranquility. Visitors coming to the monastery are welcome to join the nuns during their prayers and mass at the church. A priest and a brother, both members of the Trappist monastery in Guimaras Island in Iloilo, assist the nuns in their daily masses and other chores. Beyond the church is the living quarter of the nuns which is strictly off limits to outsiders.

People who come to Gen. Santos City and the nearby localities of Polomolok, Tupi and Korondal City should not miss visiting the Trappistine Monastery in Landan, Polomolok.