Visita Iglesia or Seven Churches Visitation has always been a practice that my family and I do annually. There were unfortunate misses (like last year) but this sacred custom is something that will always give relevance to the spirit of Lent.
Here are the churches which we've visited:
- Most Holy Redeemer Church (Quezon City)
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine (Quezon City)
- Carmel of St. Therese Lisieux (Quezon City)
- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel (Quezon City)
- Monasterio De Santa Clara (Quezon City)
- Sto. Nino De Praga Parish Church (Antipolo City)
- Regina Rosarii (Tanay, Rizal)
Apart from being concentrated in praying devoutly, it is amazing how one church/chapel differs from the other in terms of structure, art and cultural preservation.
Worth mentioning is our share of experience in Saint Pio Chapel. It is amazing to witness how a church can still implement "proper" dress code to its churchgoers. Shoes are okay to be worn but slippers are supposed to be removed before one can enter the main chapel and even the courtyard. Improperly clad parishioners are given robes / cloth to be draped while they go about their church activities. Everyone is reminded to enjoy the solemnity of the moment. More prayer, less distractions (meaning, less picture taking and using mobile phones inside the area). Human-sized wooden crosses are given to everyone that wishes to have their Stations of the Cross.
On the other hand, it is my first time to enter Sto. Nino De Praga Church. It might take a while before I could ever go back since I don't frequent that side of Antipolo that much. The church is worth mentioning because the architectural design of the building is impressive with its light colored walls, etched Sto. Nino image in each pew, 12 apostle mosaic as windows at the second floor with Christ (holding the sacramental bread) at the center, chalice-hostia as main ceiling decor and Sto. Nino's crown in front of the altar. Unimaginable but ethereal.
We traveled and survived the heavy traffic leading to Regina Rosarii / Regina Rica. It's really not a surprise to see the chapel heavily crowded since seeing the 70-ft. Mama Mary image alone is really worth every sacrifice (yes, it sounds rather strong but "sacrifice" is the word). We were not able to manage falling in line to just get inside the chapel because to say that the line is long is an understatement. We prayed for a couple of minutes outside the chapel and in front of two (of fourteen) cross stations that have been put up all around the area. I bought 5 candles to light up for intentions of: having a better job (whether in my current company or possibly for another opportunity), love for family, financial prosperity, good health and courage.
Now here are some Visita Iglesia tips ("note to self" reminders as well) that I will be sharing:
1.) Visita Iglesia survival kit will always include: bottled water, candies, healthy snacks, sun glasses, umbrella or a cap at least, alcohol or hand sanitizer, basic medicinal kit and just the right amount of cash.
2.) Best to start early since traffic flow is lighter.
3.) Never forget your Prayer Book or if you'd rather do the Stations of the Cross then make sure that you have the booklet.
4.) Wear something that is comfortable: light but still in accordance with the proper dress code.
5.) Live in the moment.
" Each of us has a vision of good and evil. We have to encourage people to move towards what they think is good. Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place." - Pope Francis #lentenquote #lent2015
