Visita Iglesia 2018

It’s a tradition many Filipinos still observe — Visita Iglesia or visiting of seven churches every Maundy Thursday. Noticeably, all images were covered with purple-colored cloth. This year it fell on March 27, 2018. It is supposed to be done after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper where the washing of the feet by the officiating priest happens. This year, Pope Francis washed the feet of some prisoners in Italy.

Since it would be difficult for us to commute at night, we hopped from Church to Church starting at 1 pm. Good enough decision, since those who did their visitations at night had to cut short their walk because of the rain.

FIRST STOP – Sta.  Rita de Cascia Church in Baclaran

2. Our Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine in Baclaran

3. Our Lady of Sorrows – F.B. Harrison St., Pasay City

4. Church of Nuestra Señora de Guia – Ermita, Manila

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5. Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz – Binondo, Manila

Next to Binondo Church is this small chapel called the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary under the Binondo Chinese Mission Parish. It was our first time to enter the worship place.

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6. Sta. Cruz Church – Manila

7. Shrine of the Black Nazarene – Quiapo Church

Our last destination… We waited for the 5 p.m. Mass that would last until 6.30 p.m. but we had to leave earlier than planned as I experienced dizziness inside the Church while the washing of the feet was going on. Everything became blurred around me, though  the sounds were still clear enough to be heard. I felt so weak I was on the verge of collapsing when a wheelchair was brought to take me out of the crowded church. It was my first time to be wheel-chaired…though not my first time to get dizzy in crowded places. I thank all those who had helped me especially my niece, Susan Abad who was more anxious than I was when my senses got back to normalcy. She wouldn’t want us to finish the Mass anymore. It could have been my first time to hear full Mass in Quiapo Church…

For more information, click: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Churches_Visitation