I am not sure if Visita Iglesia is a uniquely Filipino practice during lent. This practice of visiting seven churches on Maundy Thursday, adoring the Blessed Sacrament and reciting at least two stations of the Cross for each Church in order to complete the fourteen, is very popular among Filipino Catholics. This is an indulgenced devotion. This practice was introduced by the Spanish Missionaries and has persisted even unto this day. This was in imitation of the early practice of the Romans of visiting the seven stational churches in Rome namely,The Saint John Lateran, St. Peter, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, Holy Cross in Jerusalem and St. Sebastian Outside the Walls. In this piece I would like to share with you some churches here in Bicol that I have visited in the past. These churches may not be as beautiful as those in Rome but no matter how these churches are living testament to the faith of the Bicolano people here in this part of the Philippine Islands.
1. The Church of the Mary Mediatrix of all Graces, in San Felipe, Naga City, Camarines Sur Province. This is the convent church of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI). A group of Marian and Devout Friars inspired by the Charism of St. Maximillian Kolbe. A New Congregation of religious.
2. The parish Church of San Juan Bautista. This stone church was built by the secular clergy in the 19th century. Listed as one of the National Cultural Treasure of the National Council for Culture and the Arts. Located in Tabaco City, Albay Province. This church serve a large parish with 8 Masses held every Sunday to accomodate the needs of its thousands of faithful.
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3. San Miguel Church in Visita, San Miguel island, Tabaco City. A ten minutes boat ride from the port of Tabaco City.
4. Our Lady of the Gate parish Church in Daraga, Albay. Also considered a national Cultural Treasure. Located on top of a Hill, its beauty and grandeur beckons the faithful. On top one commands a view of Daraga and the neighboring City of Legazpi.
5. Church of Our Lady of Penafrancia. This church use to be the home of the most venerated icon of the Virgin in Bicol, unitl the icon was transferred to the Basilica Minore.
6. Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Naga City, Philippines.
7. The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres dedicated to St. John the Evangelist as the major patron saint and to St. Francis as the secondary patron. Located in Naga City, Camarines Sur Province, Philippines.
1. The Church of the Mary Mediatrix of all Graces, in San Felipe, Naga City, Camarines Sur Province. This is the convent church of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI). A group of Marian and Devout Friars inspired by the Charism of St. Maximillian Kolbe. A New Congregation of religious.
2. The parish Church of San Juan Bautista. This stone church was built by the secular clergy in the 19th century. Listed as one of the National Cultural Treasure of the National Council for Culture and the Arts. Located in Tabaco City, Albay Province. This church serve a large parish with 8 Masses held every Sunday to accomodate the needs of its thousands of faithful.
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3. San Miguel Church in Visita, San Miguel island, Tabaco City. A ten minutes boat ride from the port of Tabaco City.
4. Our Lady of the Gate parish Church in Daraga, Albay. Also considered a national Cultural Treasure. Located on top of a Hill, its beauty and grandeur beckons the faithful. On top one commands a view of Daraga and the neighboring City of Legazpi.
5. Church of Our Lady of Penafrancia. This church use to be the home of the most venerated icon of the Virgin in Bicol, unitl the icon was transferred to the Basilica Minore.
6. Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Naga City, Philippines.
7. The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres dedicated to St. John the Evangelist as the major patron saint and to St. Francis as the secondary patron. Located in Naga City, Camarines Sur Province, Philippines.
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