My Visita Iglesia: The New Way of the Cross

"Visita Iglesia" which literally means "church visits", traces its history back to the MIddle Ages and was conducted only in Jerusalem then spread in the early Christianity when pilgrims visit 7 significant churches in Rome..and with the numerous beautiful churches in our country specifically in Metro Manila, practicing this holy tradition has been an easy task. Since I opted to stay in Manila for the holy week, I rather join this tradition as well as a great opportunity to explore Manila while most of the people are flocked in their respective provinces..means less crowd and less traffic:-)

While the traditional visita iglesia requires Catholics to visit 7 churches during Maundy Thursday at night but not later than midnight, I decided to make it my own way..to visit 14 churches while doing each stations of the Cross in each churches.

This is a do-it-yourself (DIY) itinerary and here it goes:

1ST STATION
SHRINE OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP, BACLARAN

Coming from Shaw Blvd..the journey started from Boni, EDSA by riding the Bus bound to Baclaran. Since got a bit confused as we inadvertently got off at the Coastal Mall, we had to cross the overpass and ride another Jeep on the way to the Redemptorist Church or the Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine, or famously known the Baclaran Church.

 With the intense heat during the day..the fan is really a necessity, and of course, plenty of water or any liquid to avoid dehydration.

Entering the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help..the number of people was not surprising since the Church has been a pilgrim's destination each and everyday specially during Wednesday, the day for the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

 The interior of the Church is as simple as its exterior..so serene is the place for the pilgrims' meditation..

I lighted 8 candles, remembering the passion of Christ, thanking God for the spiritual redemption and praying for guidance for this day of holy pilgrimage.

 

2ND STATION
OUR LADY OF SORROWS CHURCH, HARRISON ST., PASAY CITY

From Baclaran Church, we walk our way left to Ortigas St and rode PUJ bound to Divisoria (that passes thru Mabini St) and got off at Harrison St. in front of the Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

The interior of the Church

The view from the outside..

This next church is just right for the second station of the cross since the agony of Jesus is somehow related to the feeling of sorrow..just a thought: )


3RD STATION
OUR LADY OF REMEDIES PARISH, MH DEL PILAR, MALATE

Right in front of the Our Lady of Sorrows Church, we rode the Jeep with the Mabini St. sign, got off at San Andres St and walk northward to Roxas Blvd to get to the Nuestra Senora de Remedios Parish famously known the Malate Church.

I had to position myself across the street just to take a photo of the facade of the church because it's located right in front of the public road.

Our Lady of Remedies as the Patron of Mothers and Children is also an advocate for life and the recovery of mothers and children's sickness. The picture above fronting the church shows a statue of Our Lady with accompanied children.

Statue in honor of Rajah Sulayman

Located in front of Malate Church is the Rajah Sulayman Park, we managed to have a short rest at the park. And we also took a quick lunch in a nearby fastfood before proceeding to our next destination.

 

4TH STATION
NUESTRA SENORA DE GUIA SHRINE, MH DEL PILAR ST., ERMITA

Walking back to Mabini St., again we rode the Jeep with the Mabini sign, got off at A.Flores St and walk again towards Roxas Blvd and saw the Nuestra Senora de Guia Shrine also known as the Ermita Church.

 Canvass paintings portraying the stations of the cross on the ceilings are a magnificent feature of Ermita Church giving the place a heavenly atmosphere.

 

The shrine has stairs in its front facade where people can conveniently get close to the Our Lady of Guidance statue, the oldest Marian image in the Philippines. According to the parishioners, Our Lady of de Guia believes to have shown abundant favors to the early Filipinos specially to the navigators back during the time of the Spanish colonization. So the Lady also became the patron of navigators and seafarers.


5TH STATION
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH, GENERAL LUNA ST., INTRAMUROS MANILA

Walking back again to Mabini St., again took the Jeep bound to Quiapo/Divisoria and got off at the wide street of Padre Burgos (the P.Burgos entrance to Intramuros). Cross the wide intersection and walk the long street of General Luna until the San Agustin Church.

 Entering the historic walled city of Intramuros..

yes..and we're actually doing the Via Crucis :-)

A world heritage site at that..the San Agustin Church's interiors features a classic baroque and historical significance that makes it a splendid site for wedding events and for tourists as well.

 The exterior of the church, though lacking a bit of charm and grace, really showed the influence of the Spanish colonization with a touch of religious images on its wooden doors and Chinese elements on its courtyard entrances.

 There were so many pilgrims when we reached the place, maybe because the Manila Cathedral is currently closed to public due to its year-round renovation project.

 

Since we were already in Intramuros, we dropped by the Manila Cathedral walking the long stretch of General Luna St. until the Palacio dela Gobernador

 The facade of the famous Manila Cathedral or the Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion..the doors to the church are all closed.

Still, pilgrims pray outside the church and venerate the Crucifix of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6TH STATION
MINOR BASILICA OF SAN LORENZO RUIZ, BINONDO MANILA

Since its getting more hot in Manila..we decided to take a cab (which costs us P54 only), instead of walking to get to our next station just across the Jones Bridge through the long Quintin Paredes Street until the Binondo Church also known as the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

The Church's interior features a cozy atmosphere..I wanted to meditate asleep upon entering the Church:-)

 

 Again, I had to cross the street to get a nice photo shot of the church's facade because its just in front of the public road fronting the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz.

In memory of the first Filipino-Chinese saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz

 

7TH STATION
STA. CRUZ CHURCH, STA. CRUZ MANILA

From Binondo Church, we head back to Quintin Paredes St by just walking until the corner of Escolta and walk straight left until Plaza Sta. Cruz for our 7th station, the Sta. Cruz Church.

About a few 20 meters more to Plaza Sta. Cruz..we're tired and hungry but inspired and determined. This is nothing compared to Jesus' sacrifice in the calvary.

 The facade of the Sta. Cruz Church all painted in ivory white and the replica of its patron Nuestra Senora del Pilar on the top pillar of jasper stone.

8TH STATION
BASILICA MINORE OF THE BLACK NAZARENE, QUIAPO MANILA

And so we're heading to my favorite Quiapo Church famously known to devoted pilgrims as the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene. From Sta. Cruz, we had to walk through LRT Carriedo Station towards Carriedo St. until we reached the Plaza Miranda.

Taking pictures inside the church is strictly prohibited so I just took few shots at the front facade and it just pays it all..it's magnificent structure is awe-inspiring!

Plaza Miranda in action..in this place, you will find enterprising people from all walks of life!

9TH STATION
SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH, PLAZA DEL CARMEN, QUIAPO MANILA

Heading on to our next station, we had to cross the underpass to Hidalgo St and take the Jeep (bound either to Bacood, Santol, Punta) that will pass by the San Sebastian Church.

 

This church is prominent for its distinct features, the structure of which were made of steel frames and panels and known to be the only neo-gothic steel church in the whole country.

 This image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help always amazes me, specially every Wednesday when I always take the time to drop by this Church and make my regular Perpetual Help novena.

10TH STATION
NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. JUDE THADDEUS, JP LAUREL MANILA

It took us only about 15 minutes to walk to the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus passing thru the prominent universities in Mendiola (CEU, San Beda, and La Consolacion College). Known as the Patron Saint for lost and desperate causes and one of the apostles of Jesus, people flock to His Shrine during Thursdays for novena devotions.

11TH STATION
SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA CHURCH, BUSTILLOS MANILA

Another walking trail from JP Laurel back to Mendiola passing by LRT Legarda Station to Bustillos, Manila, is the twin churches of Bustillos.

First stop is the San Antonio de Padua Church. This was believe to have started as a chapel when the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Intramuros was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in World War 2.

 

Eventually, the chapel was reconstructed into a bigger shrine due to the numerous devotees flocking over. St. Anthony is known as the Patron of the poor and those who have lost things.


12TH STATION
ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OUR LADY OF LORETO, BUSTILLOS MANILA

Standing just beside the St. Anthony Church is the old orange structure of the Nuestra Senora de Loreto Church. It was established in the 1600s and went on various distress such as fire and earthquakes, but were reconstructed and today stand still for spiritual service to its devoted parishioners.

13TH STATION
ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY, MAYSILO CIRCLE, BONI

Heading back to Mandaluyong City for the last two stations, rode a Jeep bound to Stop and Shop/Altura and another jeepney ride to Boni Avenue to get to the Shrine of the Divine Mercy located just beside the Mandaluyong City Hall.

Since its just a trike away from the Circle, we decided to drop by the old Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Hulo, Mandaluyong and here's what we found out..

The old chapel was already dismantled for reconstruction, the statue of Our Lady of the Abandoned is the only surviving vestige of the old parish.


14TH STATION
SAN FELIPE NERI CHURCH, BRGY. POBLACION MANDALUYONG CITY

From Hulo, again took a jeep bound to Gen. Kalentong passing by the San Felipe Church, considered as one of the oldest churches in Metro Manila originally run by the Spanish friars. It became part of history when it used to be the site of the bloody encounters of the Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish soldiers during the time of the Spanish colonization in the country.

 

And that's how my spiritual pilgrimage went on that day by commuting and walking for about 8 hours..my spirits felt uplifted having completed the 14 stations of the cross in the 14 historical churches in the metropolis.

To God be the Glory!