Do people still practice VISITA IGLESIA every Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday?
By rokudaime
@rokudaime (339)
Australia
April 20, 2011 10:05pm CST
Visita Iglesia (Visitation of Churches) is a religious practice particularly here in the Philippines whereby faithful Catholics visit at least seven (7) churches and pray. This is where the faithful offers his/her petitions, supplications and thanksgiving to God for the blessings received throughout the year.
This morning, a friend of mine, texted me and asked if I could go with them in the Visita Iglesia. I declined the offer since I am preparing for the Mass of our Lord's Supper this evening at the Carmelites Monastery, Lanang Davao City because I will be the accompanist. However, if given the chance to really go with them I would do so. I know my preparations for the Mass are already sufficient in exchange for the actual Visita Iglesia, but it would still be very lovely to be able to visit churches and receive indulgences from the grace of God.
Anyway, the most important thing through it all, is the desire to be holy and to be with God daily in our lives. So let us get a hold on the challenge to live a life in full and to work on for our salvation as best as we can. Though we fall, as normal human beings we do, let us not just forget the every time we fall, we should rise and go back to God's loving arms. I think this is the most important thing in life that God will look into, it's our effort to stand every time we fall. Have a Holy Week everyone!
4 responses
@webzap (884)
• Philippines
22 Apr 11
Yeah, Visita Iglesia (pilgrimage) to at least 7 churches is much alive here in our place in Laguna. At midnight last night still a lot of people are in the streets going one church to another, walking, not to mention those who are visiting the churches on their own car. This being our tradition showing our respect and reflect on the life of our God, Jesus Christ.
@rokudaime (339)
• Australia
22 Apr 11
I am happy to hear that this practice is alive in Laguna webzap. As for us here in Davao, this practice is very much alive as well. Despite the hard rain last night, people still flood to some churches here in the city. Not to mention the newly renovated altars of the Cathedral and the Sta. Ana Shrine Parish.
I agree, that this is our way of showing our respect and meditate upon the life of our Lord. Lastly, I am not supposed to be online now because it is Good Friday, however, there are comments here from other people that I can't afford a day to go by without answering them in the light of our faith.
So, I have to go now webzap as I am going to prepare for the veneration of the Cross at 3:00p.m. The church where I serve this too far from my place and I need to leave the house early since the Public Utility Jeepneys are limited. God bless and have a wonderful Good Friday afternoon! ;-)
@rokudaime (339)
• Australia
21 Apr 11
Hi ddondz! Just attended the Lord's supper Mass at Carmelites, Lanang Davao City. It was raining cats and dogs. I was not able to have the Visita Iglesia since I am with the choir at Carmelites, so I think God would still grant me the indulgences He gives to those who participated in the Visita Iglesia. Anyway, the San Pedro Catheral's altar is very fascinating indeed. Well done for the parishioners there! Have you gone to Sta. Ana Shrine? The altar is also marvellous to look at. Have a great Good Friday ahead my friend. God bless us all!
@junrapmian (2169)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
I do. Every year on Holy Week we made it a point to visit around 7 churches in our place and nearby vicinities. We do it by walking from one church to another though we do it during the late afternoon until midnight. it was also fun because there are so many of us from our village who walk together , we walk around 2 to 3 kilometers each church, pray the station of the cross and proceed to the next church. There is also another Visita Iglesia that is being organized by our parish church but the destination is to the Central Luzon and you have to pay around 1500 to 2000 for the bus fare.
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
Obviously, people dont do that anymore. When I was young, people in my neighborhood were really very very devoted about these things that they do. I only get to observe them cause I grew up a non-catholic. Nowadays, people look forward for the holy week cause its a holi week for them. They already forget about the essence of the holy week already, through the years.
