Visita Iglesia is among the Filipino traditions widely observed during the Holy Week which I personally enjoy doing too because I am fond of seeing other churches, besides my Parish which is the only one we frequent, and of course it would be great, getting to pray in 6 other churches. Moreover, it is a pleasant experience seeing other Visita Iglesia goers in all walks of life as they too, say their prayers.
Leo & I agreed on doing the Visita Iglesia as our anniversary date (which we're celebrating real soon) rather than having the usual romantic dinner date in some fancy restaurant. I actually enjoy & appreciate having dates outside the mall and having dates which aren't typical and too "main stream," as people nowadays call it. We just made up our minds on having the Visita Iglesia, the night before Good Friday, thus there weren't plans of what route and which churches would we be going to. As he picked me up early that morning, I told him that I wanted to go to the churches which had significance in our lives (as much as possible.), and so we did:)
We then decided to go to the following:
1. Shrine of Mary Help of Christians
2. Malate Church
3. Manila Cathedral
4. San Agustin Church
5. Shrine of St. Jude
6. Santisimo Rosario Parish
7. National Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes
8. Colegio San Agustin Chapel
9. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal National Shrine
Supposedly, a Visita Iglesia is a visitation of 7 churches, however we wanted to drop by CSA's chapel and he also wanted to visit this Church (last) located in Posadas, thus the visitation of 9 churches:)
First stop was the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. My family and I have been going to this church since I was born. This is where my parents got married, this is where me and my siblings were baptized and this is the Church where we celebrate mass every Sunday, practically the Church I grew up at.
Next was Malate Church. I'm not sure of its significance in our lives, but my family and I have already included this church in our Visita Iglesia list of Churches, plus its location is very accessible! We then went to the famous Manila Cathedral, which has been closed for a year now or more. We tried visiting this church last year, unfortunately it was closed. Nonetheless, they had an area just outside the huge door where you could say your prayers. As we walked to San Agustin Church, I already felt the scourging summer heat. It was really hot, specially we got here towards noon time. San Agustin Church is where we attended our first wedding ceremony together, c/o my friend's sister:) This church may not be appealing at all from the outside, but once you see it inside, it is beautiful - really beautiful.
Of course we managed to take a few snap shots while having our Visita Date amidst the heat. Leo also bought grilled corn sold by the street which was delicious! haha. Off we are to the Shrine of St. Jude. St. Jude is said to be the patron saint of the desperate. He is very popular to board and bar exam takers alike and I also came to know of this church before I had my board exam myself. Moreover, since I took my board exam at La Consolacion College which was located a few steps away from St. Jude, I made it a point to visit the church right after my exams for 2 days. Same church we prayed at for my brother's successful surgery:)
Next on the list: UST's Santisimo Rosario Church. I will always be grateful to UST, my home (literally) for 4 years. I spent a whole lot of good and bad times here, it witnessed 4 out of 6 years of our relationship and I learned a lot from being a Thomasian. This Church is where I often prayed at specially during the times when I was down, very stressed, depressed and all that. It's the only Church I went to without my family, also the only Church I've heard mass alone. It is the Church I ran to when I felt too tired from school and found comfort at despite not being home. So yes, this Church has a special place in my heart:)
Since we barely go to UST anymore, we took the time to go around a bit and take some photos of my alma mater:) I miss this place so much!
So much for literally walking down on memory lane aka "Lovers Lane" - haha! Kidding aside, it really is called Lovers Lane;) Moving on to our next stop: National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Leo's miraculous Church, me being his miracle. hahaha kidding;) But really, this church is probably the reason why and how we met in the first place. :)
En route to Colegio San Agustin's Chapel. CSA will forever be dear to our hearts. It is where we grew up and I sincerely love my alma mater. 11 of our formative years were spent here. Funny how in those 11 years, Leo and I never became classmates, ever. On CSA's chapel, every month, we celebrate at least 1 mass here and during high school when we already had our sense of social circles, it was always chaotic during the peace offering, as students would go around the chapel throwing their "besos" or hand shakes out to their friends.
This is where my spirituality was honed, where I had my first Eucharist, my confirmation, and where I also celebrated Holy Mass several times with my batch mates. This is where I heard mass for the sake (at first), also where I developed the urge and sense of praying and where I enjoyed singing worship songs, which I miss a lot.
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed having the Visita Iglesia as our anniversary date. It felt refreshing and relieving to have been able to pray at 7, or even 9 Churches together. It was a perfect time to think over things and reflect on life as a whole. What made it more perfect was being able to pray together. I think that is one of the things which keeps us going, having a God centered relationship. I believe we have this bubble encircling us with God's blessing and we believe that the couple who prays together, stays together.. Forever. haha!
Happy Easter everyone!
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