Nestled within the forests of Tagaytay, in the Philippines, in a setting of breath-taking beauty where the harmony of creation can truly be experienced, stands the Canossa House of Spirituality—a place of prayer, silence and inner renewal. Within its serene surroundings—chapels, prayer halls, communal spaces, refectories and welcoming rooms—priests, students and all who, regardless of personal history, life experience or individual journey, seek an encounter with Christ, are received with warmth by the Canossian Sisters, who lovingly care for this sacred place.
More than forty years after its inauguration in 1984, the Canossa House of Spirituality is entering a new chapter. Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, it is undergoing a profound renewal, embracing a new ecological vision. This transformation, known as the Canossa Berde Project, seeks to reimagine the House as an ecologically integrated retreat centre, where spiritual well-being is inseparable from care for creation.
Aligned with the Green Building Code of the Philippines, the project embodies a vision of integral ecology, fostering a harmonious relationship between God, humanity and the earth.
The redevelopment focuses in particular on:
- energy efficiency,
- sustainable use of resources,
- responsible water management,
- quality of indoor environments,
- and the use of sustainable materials,
guided by the principle of the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.
Through this process, the Canossa House of Spirituality is being restored to its mission as a true sanctuary of natural spirituality—a place where life itself becomes an experience inspired by the values of Laudato Si’.
The Canossa Berde Project naturally requires a significant investment and a journey rooted in collaboration and generosity. To support this vision, the Sacred Heart Province (Philippines–PNG), together with alumni, benefactors and friends, has promoted meaningful initiatives of participation and awareness.
Among them:
- “Dinner for a Cause – Canossa Berde: Restoring Spaces, Renewing Souls, Reinventing the Future”, a community-wide fundraising dinner;
- “Faith in Motion” Fun Run, a charity run organised by students from four Canossian schools.
These events bear witness to the strength of the Canossian network—a living community of Sisters, students, former pupils and lay people united by a shared spirituality.
The Canossa Berde Redevelopment Project is not merely a structural intervention, but an act of faith, communion and care for creation. It is a bold and contemporary vision—one that offers a space where people may encounter God, themselves and others, in peaceful harmony with the natural world.
