VISITA IGLESIA: A Recollection on Wheels

Visita Iglesia is an old Roman Catholic custom exported to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. It started as a pilgrimage to the seven basilicas of Rome on Holy Thursdays as a form of penance for their sins. The Philippines being a devoted Catholic nation practices different traditions during holy week, one of which is the Visita Iglesia, also known as “Seven Church Visitation” where the faithful visits seven churches to pray to the Blessed Sacrament in each church.

This practice is being done as a form of meditation and repentance which is the essence of the Holy Week. Aside from it being a Lenten practice, it can also be a way to revisit the historical culture that these churches have. It is a great way to learn something from our faith, culture and heritage.

The St. Joseph Parish in Sta. Cruz held its third Visita Iglesia yesterday. It was participated by more than a hundred parishioners who journeyed together to visit 14 churches.

Each church represented the different stations of the cross. The routine included the faithful proceeding to light a candle as soon as they arrive to the church they’re visiting.

The pilgrims then made their way inside the church and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and started praying together using the prayer guide for the “Way of the Cross”.

The stops in each church was given about 20 to 30 minutes time allocation to make room for a timely travel towards the rest of the churches. So far, the SJP visita iglesia has been to the Diocese of Davao and the Diocese of Digos respectively. This year, the pilgrimage was directed towards the Diocese of Tagum, stopping at 14 churches along the way especially those in Panabo and Tagum area. Churches visited are the following: 1.) St. John Paul II, Inawayan, 2.) Sto. Rosario Cathedral, Toril, 3.) San Lorenzo Parish, Talomo, 4.) St. Francis Parish, Maa, 5.) San Miguel Parish, Panacan, 6.) St. Francis Xavier, Tibungco, 7.) St. James Parish, Bunawan, 8.) San Agustin Parish, Crystal Plain Subd., Panabo, 9.) Sto. Nino Parish, Ybanez Subd., Panabo, 10.) Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Carmen, 11.) Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 12.) Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 13.) Christ the King Cathedral, Tagum, 14.) St. Joseph Parish, Sta. Cruz.

During the travel, Fr. Bong Lunas, the parish priest gave the participants insights about holy week. He guided them through a meditation while on board and talked about everything they need to know and understand this Lenten season. These were discussed inside the bus – a reason why it is a recollection on wheels. The participants ate packed lunch while on board, usually sandwiches and very simple meals as a form of fasting. A mass was held to conclude the event at the Christ the King Cathedral in Tagum. (Blaze Q. Cantaros | SJP SoCCom)