Who's going on a Visita Iglesia?

@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
April 19, 2011 4:50pm CST
Catholic tradition tells us that we earn indulgences when we go on a Visita Iglesia on Good Friday. With so many churches, old and new, in the country, one can easily finish the required 7 churches in a matter of hours, and even make a 14 church route, one for every station of the cross, before the Hour of Great Mercy, 3 pm, when our Lord finally breathed His last. So, who's keeping this tradition? I will probably follow my old itinerary, but I might also explore the nearby provinces and discover some old church hidden in a quiet town...
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13 responses
• United States
20 Apr 11
I heard people can do it online.
2 people like this
• United States
21 Apr 11
Actually I have never done it or recall to have done it but after watching an episode of Word of the Lourd, I learned so much. Again I just heard that it can be done online from WOTL.
• Mexico
20 Apr 11
Hi Gorilla foot prints: You can visit online the churches of all around the world I know but from my experience it's not the same feeling than when you go physically to these spiritual places and pray along with all the other persons. ALVARO
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
There are many faithful who can't walk anymore. This is for them.
• Canada
21 Apr 11
can this be done on good friday?this is the first time i will have visita iglesia as i have work even holy week..please response..thanks..summer..
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
Visita Iglesia is really done on Good Friday. See you somewhere...
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
Oooops, you are from Canada, and I thought I would bump into you in one of the huge cathedrals... Here's an angel to go with you
• Mexico
20 Apr 11
Hi eileen leyva: I remembered I have followed this tradition for so many years with my fathers. We pray and walk through all the Catholic churches around my town. It's a very spiritual and good tradition that make us feel closer to our beleifs. I will probably go this year with my parents. ALVARO
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
The tradition actually tells us to walk the long stretch of the feeder road to get to the next church. But that is kinda difficult to do that in Manila. About the only two churches near each other and thus walkable are the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin in Intramuros. The place is so festive actually. There are grilled corn on the cob, camote fries and thirst quenching buko juice.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
Me and my sisters and friends always do this tradition for so many years already. Unfortunately, I think I will have to pass for this year. :( I still have work on a Holy Thursday, so I won't be able to go with my sisters and friends this time. Although I would really love to join, but I already have a lot of absences for this month alone for being sick.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
That is all right. Take a rest and God will ease your predicaments. Keep Good Friday quiet and meditative!
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
I sure will, good thing it's my day off on Friday. :)
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@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
I do not go or has never experienced " Visita Iglesia " cause I come from a family and lineage of mixed religions, I am quite familiar with the tradition cause I was raised and educated in Catholic schools, and had learned to respect other peoples beliefs and religious views no matter how it differs from mine so long as no rights or laws are violated.One thing with me though is I always make it a point to visit churches, especially the old ones when I'm in any Island or province, learn the history of the church, observe things like architecture and antique " santos " and icons etc...then take picturs, I also stop inside to say a little prayer for people and to feed my spirituality, I have always done this since I was a boy but not necessarily during Holy week or "Semana Santa"
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
The churches possess a certain charm that is so attracting or inviting. I, also, had my rendezvous with the old structures when I was then deep into gallivanting and photography... I visited the old cathedrals as far as Ilocos... and the architecture are so fascinating. I kept some of my photos in an album... Do you know that the city planners of the past centuries has positioned the churches in such a way that, when there is flood in the town or city, the tabernacles will not be reached by the waters....
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
22 Apr 11
Yes, and the churches then were a strong refuge for town folks when there are natural disasters or Moorish invasions or invasions coming from other naval super powers in our region that time like the British and the Dutch. I had also observed that most of them are facing the sea, perhaps they also warn of an invasion by ringing the bells from the belfry, Yeah Ilocos churches are one of the best preserved, I have also been and seen churches down south like in Negros and Panay Island, very nice
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@zills66 (1419)
• Saudi Arabia
20 Apr 11
i'll do it online if it's possible on viernes santo, la dia conmemora la muerte de JesuCristo.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
Si!
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
19 Apr 11
Never heard of this tradition, maybe because the U.S. is such a non-Catholic nation... tho I am Orthodox rather than Roman Catholic
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
I suppose the Spaniards started the tradition for us. They introduced Catholicism when Magellan came in 1521. The natives then practiced rituals, so when Christianity was taught, the Filipinos readily embraced it.
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
Fortunately last year I was able to experienced my first Visita Iglesia, with my cousins. And this year we will do it again,with the oldies. If I can get to take pictures, will probably share some here at mylot. Last year we visited Churches in Camalig Albay, Daraga Albay and Legazpi City. This year we will start in Ligao City.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
I wish I could go on a pilgrimage of your region one day...
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
I have never experienced Visita Iglesia, though i know about it. What i would usually do before is go to the church and have the station of the cross at a particular church. I guess, this Holy week, i will just be at home and do some meditating and praying alone in our room.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
There was one Semana Santa when I read and read the Bible. And I did learn more about our God. But I think I also like to be with the people, many of them exhilarating after the nth church. The mood in Intramuros is festive!
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
3 Apr 13
actually my former classmates in high school invited me to join for their Visita Iglesia here in the city but because my family always went to their province to celebrate the whole week of this lenten season i couldn't join to them.they said that this is exciting because you will see that everyone will walk from the evening until the Sun rise in the next morning.
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• Philippines
20 Apr 11
I'm not sure if I'm going on a Visita Iglesia. My grandfather used to do it. He goes surely to Quiapo Church.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Apr 11
The Basilica de Quiapo is where the devotees of the suffering Senyor will convene. IU had been stuck with traffic around that area for many years... No Quiapo anymore for me.
• Canada
21 Apr 11
Hi,eileen..just want to ask if this can be done on good friday? This is the first time that I will experience Visita Iglesia as I have work least few years during Holy week.
1 person likes this
• Canada
21 Apr 11
Hi,eileen..just want to ask if this can be done on good friday? This is the first time that I will experience Visita Iglesia as I have work least few years during Holy week.