Magnificat Ventures Corp. (MVC), the developer of the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and owner of the St. Therese Columbarium in Newport, Pasay City, have partnered with Fr. Jason Dy, SJ, to bring the acclaimed art exhibit, “In Loving Memory,” to Manila.

From Oct. 20 to Nov. 30, “In Loving Memory” will be featured at the Lisieux area of the St. Therese Columbarium.

This interactive art project, started by Fr. Dy in November 2009 at the Sacred Heart Parish in Cebu City, presents a unique way of remembering departed loved ones. It features recycled juice bottles filled and/or designed to represent memories of friends and loved ones who have passed on. It also includes gathered petitions, prayers and messages for the dead.

“Memories are intangibles, but memories can be related to a particular object, and that object would have sentimental value,” Fr. Dy said.

Bottles are claimed at the St. Therese Columbarium and are designed and decorated freely by the participants, according to their sentiments and personal experiences. Some bottles, for instance, are decorated with rosary beads to commemorate a prayerful mother. Some contain a parchment paper with a short biography of the deceased, while others have sand, rocks and even photographs.

Fr. Dy will also design bottles to represent those who are victims of widespread social ills like child abuse and exploitation, natural calamities, and war and conflict. A special section to commemorate the victims of “Sendong” will be included this year.

ILM at the St. Therese Columbarium will feature bottles by art students of the Far Eastern University, University of Sto. Tomas, inmates of the maximum security prison of the New Bilibid Prison and the Correctional Institution for Women, and other sectors of society.

For more information, call 636-MARY (6279) and look for Freya or visit www.therese.ph.