It's Holy Week next week. As I prepare to go to the province for this week-long vacation, I cannot help but recall the traditions that is associated with the week - some of them I have experienced, others I have yet to taste. One of the things a lot of people do during Holy Week is Visita Iglesia. Visita Iglesia means visiting 7 churches to pray the 14 stations of the cross - 2 stations per church, I think. I've done this only once in Quezon. We visited the churches in Candelaria, Sariaya, Tayabas, Lucban, 2 churches in Lucena City and Pagbilao. Anyway, I know it is hard to look for 7 churches here in Metro Manila that are strategically located such that you will be able to visit them all in one day. But don't worry, I have here an itinerary for the Makati, Pasay and Paranaque area.
1. Santuario de San Antonio. MsKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City.
2. National Shrine of the Sacred Heart. Kamagong cor Sacred Heart Sts., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
3. St. John Bosco Parish Church. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City
4. St. Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri Parish (Magallanes Church). Humabon St., Magallanes Village, Makati City.
5. Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish. P. Burgos St. Pasay City (Beside Pasay General Hospital)
6. National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Church (Baclaran Church or Redemptorist Church). Baclaran, Paranaque City.
7. Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. SM Mall of Asia Complex (near SMX).
These churches are easy to find and they are not very far away from each other. You will surely find your way easily.
For those who cannot go out to visit these churches like those who are bedridden, the Catholic Church has devised a solution for you - Visita Iglesia online. Talk about going high tech. You can now visit http://visitaiglesia.net However, let not the presence of this site be an excuse for you to really go and physically visit churches in your area.
Have a meaningful Holy Week everyone. And those going to the provinces, INGAT (take care)!
It's not a real problem here in Manila actually. In the San Miguel district, one can finish Visita Iglesia in just a few hours. One can attend the Mass of the Lord's Supper in San Beda Abbey Church, for example, and then visit the nearby churches, on foot! There are 6 churches in the area, all of which are within walking distance from each other. You can always go with the crowd. I finished visiting the churches just within 3 hours. For the seventh church, one can opt to go to nearby Quiapo or other churches in the city. Have a blessed Holy season everyone!
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