Information about St. Mary Magdalene Parish

St. Mary Magdalene Parish

The parish church of Kawit, Cavite, is St. Mary Magdalene Church of Kawit, popularly known as Kawit Church. The Roman Catholic church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, with construction beginning in 1737. The chapel, dedicated to Jesus' follower Mary Magdalene, was last refurbished by Kawit residents in 1990.

The president of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, was christened in this church, and his birth certificate is housed on the left side of the altar. The church is well-known for its healing. The miracle life-size figure of Mary Magdalene in Kawit has a "mark" in the middle of her forehead that looks like a mole, and no living Kawit resident understands why the statue has such a mark. 

According to speculation, this is the symbolic mark of Jesus' fingertip at the resurrection, when he appeared to Magdalene and said Noli Me Tangere (Do not touch me), as described in the Gospel of John 20:17. Others speculate that this mark is used to identify her from the Virgin Mary.

How to get there

Ride a bus from Lawton to Kawit, Cavite. Once there, ride a jeepney or tricycle going to the church.

Best time to visit

You can visit this religious landmark any time of the day.