Visita Iglesia

For almost two years, religious gatherings have been limited and modified because of the  pandemic and community quarantines that have been imposed in the country.

The Visita Iglesia is one of the most sacred and beautiful “panatas” of the faithful during the observance of Holy Week that was affected by the restrictions.

The Visita Iglesia involves visiting seven different churches on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

The tradition was apparently derived back from a 16th century Roman tradition started by St. Philip Neri.

According to Fr. Domie Guzman, Jr.,  the Visita Iglesia  is one of the most beautiful practices and traditions of the faithful.

As a recollection and pilgrimage, the first Christians in Rome visited seven (7) basilicas in Rome and prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  

The seven basilicas are the St. Peter’s Basilica; the Basilica of  St. Paul Outside-the-Walls; the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran; the Basilica of St. Mary Major; the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside-the-Walls; the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem; and, the St. Sebastian Outside-the-Walls.

Based on the guidelines of the Catholic Doctrine, all faithful must focus on prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Some of the devotees chose to visit 14 churches to match the 14 Station of the Cross while some devotees describe the visit as a reference of the Seven Last Words of Jesus or the Seven Holy Wounds of Jesus.

There is no fixed set of prayers for this devotion. But small books or pamphlets can be bought for prayer guidance.

Some devotees pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament or say the Rosary while others offer personal prayers and meditation on the Passion or pray in front of successive Stations of the Cross in each church. Devotees also bring small gifts or donations for the poor.

Many believe that their prayers will be granted after the stations are completed and the seven churches visited.

In the olden times, some devotees walked barefoot from church to church and even carried a cross as their way of sharing the suffering of Christ on the way to his crucifixion.

In Pampanga, there are seven of the oldest churches that can be visited by devotees during the Visita Iglesia. These are the Metropolitan Cathedral in the City of San Fernando built in 1754; the San Guillermo Parish in Bacolor founded in 1576; the St. James the Apostle Church Parish, or more popularly known as the Betis Church, in Guagua founded in 1660; the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish in Sta. Rita built in 1839; the Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Parish in Porac founded in 1872; the Holy Rosary Parish Church in Angeles City built in 1877; and, the San Bartolome Parish Magalang in 1605.

Devotees can also visit parish churches near their place if they are commuting.

To have a safe and peaceful Visita Iglesia since there is still the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, devotees can visit cbcpnews.net and check the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Guidelines for Lent and Holy Week 2022.

These are also some things to remember when going on a Visita Iglesia.

Before entering churches, expect health protocols like temperature checks, physical distancing, and wearing facemask are a must.

Before going out for the Visita Iglesia, plan ahead and finalize the list of churches you are going to visit. It is also a good idea to travel light and wear decent but comfortable clothes. The Visita Iglesia is a pilgrimage and not a fashion show. And people will be entering churches to pray.

Refrain from encroaching spaces in the churches that are cordoned off which means these are prohibited. A church is a holy and sacred place. It is also very important to maintain silence all the time when in the churches because the main goal is to pray and not to chat.

Be respectful when posting pictures on social media.

Eating is not allowed inside the church. A small snack and water, however, can be brought for baon. Mind some devotees who fast while making the rounds of the churches during the Visita Iglesia.

We must always remember that the Visita Iglesia is not about the beautiful designs of the altars but is about and focused on prayer, adoration and penance in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, the center and heart of the church.

A blessed Holy Week everyone.