Visita Iglesia: Road to God’s Love and Mercy

A famous cliché tells us that the journey to a thousand miles begins with a single step. The moment we are born, we are set to embark on a lifelong journey that would teach us wondrous lessons in life. These lessons guide us as we travel in this world with God. Thus, we are pilgrims walking hand in hand with Christ in this journey called life.

In the recently concluded season of lent with its theme “Pray, Fast, and Give,” we are reminded about this magnificent and astonishing journey with Christ – a journey that would make us recall God’s undying and unconditional love for us. This is also the time when we refresh our minds and focus on Christ’s sufferings for our salvation and redemption.

At this point in our Catholic journey, we omit certain behaviors, and participate in activities that would bring us closer to God. One of these activities is the Visita Iglesia.

The Visita Iglesia (or Seven Churches Visitation) is a Lenten tradition in which people visit seven churches. The seven churches basically signify the seven holy sites related to Jesus’ arrest and trial: Garden of Gethsemane; The House of Annas; Tribunal of Caiphas the High Priest; Trial before Pilate; Trial Before Herod; From Herod back to Pilate; and from Pilate back to Golgotha (Catholic Knows the Answer, 2016).

To remember Christ’s sufferings and to further strengthen their Catholic faith, two hundred thirty-six parishioners of San Francisco de Asis Parish-Tagakpan participated in the Visita Iglesia last March 5, 2016, organized by the SFDA-Parish Pastoral Council.

The visited churches were the following: Santo Rosario Parish, Toril; San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Talomo; San Pablo Parish, Juna; St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Malvar; St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Sasa; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Obrero; and San Pedro Cathedral.

According to Fr. Ariel Celeste, OSJ, parish priest of San Francisco de Asis Parish, the main objective of organizing this Lenten activity is to make the people reflect about the good and bad things that they have experienced, and most importantly, to commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord.

On the other hand, the parishioners were grateful to the parish council for organizing this year’s Visita Iglesia. Ms. Abigail Alcaria, one of the participants, said that the Visita Iglesia really helped in preparing her whole being: mind, body, and soul for the Holy Week. Furthermore, Ms. Alcaria also added that she felt the happiness together with her SFDA family in reuniting with Christ through the Visita Iglesia.

“Pinaagi niini, gipahinumduman ako sa kanindot sa panaw nga kita karon misinati uban si Kristo sa atong kinabuhi… Nakabati akog kalipay ug kagaan sa akong kabubut-on sa akong pagapil sa Visita Iglesia,” she added.

In addition, the solemnity of the churches was felt by the parishioners as they entered the parishes. They were able to feel God’s presence, and they were able to reflect as they prayed the prayer intended for the way of the cross.

The parishioners look forward for more Church activities that would make their faith stronger and make them more responsive to God’s love and mercy this Lenten season. (Jeffren P. Miguel, SFDA SocCom)