For most Filipino Catholics, Visita Iglesia (translates to: Church Visit) is one of the most important activities during Holy Week where devotees visit and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament in at least seven different churches.
Until the 70s, people recited all fourteen stations in one church, but the more recent custom is to pray two stations at each church. Traditionally, it is practiced every Maundy Thursday but is now done in any day of the Holy Week before Good Friday.
Planning to do your Visita Iglesia in Metro Manila this Holy Week? Here are seven beautiful churches to add to your itineraries:
Carmel of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Gilmore Ave., Quezon City
Established in 1926
The lot where Carmel of St. Therese of the Child Jesus is standing on was a donation of the rich Hemady family, the former landowners of the New Manila estate. The first Carmelite nuns who came to Manila were not Spaniards but French nun from Indo-China specifically Vietnam.
Church of the Gesù
Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Established in 2002
Located on the Ateneo de Manila University campus, the Church of Gesu is on Sacred Heart Hill and is believed to be the highest point in Loyola Heights. The church's triangular structure represents the Holy Trinity and the Ateneo's three-fold mission and vision.
Monasterio de Sta. Clara
C-5 Katipunan Avenue
Established in 1621
After Mother Jeronima, the founder of the first Catholic monastery in Manila, died in 1630, the monastery was moved from one place to another until it was in its present location. Devotees have since offered eggs to the monastery in exchange of a good weather for a particular date.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine
Dona Juana St., New Manila, Quezon City
Established in 1975
Ten years after its establishment, the Shrine of Mary was inaugurated on the feast of Mt. Carmel. Just recently, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine became a pilgrimage church.
Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
JP Laurel corner Apacible Street, UP Village, Diliman
Established in the early 1950s
Located on the University of the Philippines Campus in Diliman, the Parish features the well known double crucifix by National Artist Napoleon Abueva and floor design by Arturo Luz who is also a National Artist. The first Mass celebrated was in 1955 by the Archbishop of Manila.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
Kamuning Sct. Ybardolaza St., Kamuning, Quezon City
Established in 1941
The parish has been in the care and administration of the Society of the Divine Word before it was founded. A recent development in the history of the parish is the canonical dedication of the Shrine of the Divine Word. The chapel became a Shrine in 2006 and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco presided over the dedication rites.
Santa Maria Della Strada
Katipunan Avenue
Established in 1981
The Church is named after Sta. Maria della Strada (Our Lady of the Way) which features the marble altar used by Pope John Paul II during the beatification of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the life-size Crucifix with a brown Christ above the main altar and the Italian mosaic icons of Sta. Maria della Strada and St. Joseph.
What will be your itinerary this year? Share it in the comment box below and we might follow your route!
Homestream Image from Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ
