Even before Ash Wednesday comes, the Filipino faithful have already been preparing for the traditional Lenten Visita Iglesia or church visit, a pious practice to visit seven or 14 churches on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to pray and recite the Stations of the Cross before the Blessed Sacrament in each church. Most are mapping out their route, checking out nearby or provincial churches to do their panata or sacred vow, a long-held devotional that Catholics take to heart every Holy Week.
History states that the tradition all started during the 16th century when then Italian priest now Saint Philip Neri together with his friends — Spanish friars and missionaries — visited and prayed in seven churches on Maundy Thursday. This “Seven Churches Walk” started as a devotional practice of sorts that became a Holy Week tradition to this day.
Why seven or 14 churches? Seven church visits correspond to the Seven Last Words of Jesus or the Seven Holy Wounds of Jesus. Other devotees double the number to 14 to pray the Stations of the Cross in each church. During this time, most Catholic churches remain open until midnight to accommodate the flock of the faithful. While traditionally done on Maundy Thursday, after the Mass of the Last Supper, it is now common to perform Visita Iglesia on any day during Holy Week.
Which church to visit? You may visit any church you want to, but if you have the means and the time, try to consider visiting any of the outstanding Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the UNESCO World Heritage Churches, considered as national cultural treasures of the country. They are: Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin in Manila; Minor Basilica of La Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur; Church of San Agustin in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and Church of Sto Tomas de Villanueva in Miagao, Iloilo.
