Remembering Christ's Passion via
Visita Iglesia
April 11, 2017
by Argene A. Clasara
by Argene A. Clasara
One of the pious practices of the Filipinos during Holy Week is the Visita Iglesia. In this pious practice, Filipinos visit at least seven churches either to pray the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) or to pray and spent some time at the Altar of Repose wherein the Blessed Sacrament is kept.
Those who are meditating on the Stations of the Cross during the Visita Iglesia usually visit seven to fourteen churches – they usually meditate on one to two stations for every church. Those who visit the altars of repose, at least seven churches are usually visited. I have noticed that old churches were preferred by the Filipinos in this Lenten tradition.
The practice of the Visita Iglesia was introduced by the Augustinian missionaries in the 16th century, a time when Catholicism was in its infancy in the Philippines. It was said that this practice also originated in Rome wherein Catholics join in a penitential pilgrimage to visit the pilgrim churches of Rome - St. John Lateran, St. Peter's Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Paul outside the Walls, St. Lawrence outside the Walls, Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and Saint Sebastian outside the Walls.
It was difficult in the earlier years because of the distance of parishes - there was only one parish for a town settlement. In addition, transportation was difficult at that time.
To make this pilgrimage possible, the pilgrims should visit seven pueblos (1 pueblo = 1 parish). This makes the pilgrimage difficult and expensive. Thus, some Filipinos resorted on entering, praying, and re-entering a church at least seven times!
Those who are meditating on the Stations of the Cross during the Visita Iglesia usually visit seven to fourteen churches – they usually meditate on one to two stations for every church. Those who visit the altars of repose, at least seven churches are usually visited. I have noticed that old churches were preferred by the Filipinos in this Lenten tradition.
The practice of the Visita Iglesia was introduced by the Augustinian missionaries in the 16th century, a time when Catholicism was in its infancy in the Philippines. It was said that this practice also originated in Rome wherein Catholics join in a penitential pilgrimage to visit the pilgrim churches of Rome - St. John Lateran, St. Peter's Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Paul outside the Walls, St. Lawrence outside the Walls, Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and Saint Sebastian outside the Walls.
It was difficult in the earlier years because of the distance of parishes - there was only one parish for a town settlement. In addition, transportation was difficult at that time.
To make this pilgrimage possible, the pilgrims should visit seven pueblos (1 pueblo = 1 parish). This makes the pilgrimage difficult and expensive. Thus, some Filipinos resorted on entering, praying, and re-entering a church at least seven times!
The Visita Iglesia was initially and traditionally observed in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Thence, the practice of praying the Stations of the Cross in the Visita Iglesia can be considered "novel”.
However, whether we pray in front of the Altar of Repose or recite the Stations of the Cross, the faithful are invited in thanksgiving to the institution of the Holy Eucharist by reciting five times the Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Gloria Patri and to meditate on the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. This should be the aim of the Visita Iglesia – to thank the Lord for instituting the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Orders, and to meditate on the Paschal mysteries.
Nowadays, I have observed that this Lenten practice is now being reduced to tourism. Instead of meditating the Via Crucis or spending some time with the Lord in the Altar of Repose, “pilgrims” were either taking ‘selfies’ or pictures of the church or were conversing inside the church. Perhaps this is an indicator of the growth of secularism in our country, or the loss of the “sense of the sacred”, and this is lamentable.
May the practice of Visita Iglesia become an opportunity to be in the presence of the Lord, to adore and thank Him for the blessings we received. May this practice be an opportunity to rest and lay our burdens to God and to whisper our supplications to Him. May this not be an opportunity for the modern man’s vanity.
Sources:
Sylvester Juergens, SM. The New Marian Missal. New York: Regina Press. 1959.
Nigel Tan, “Origins of Visita Iglesia.” Rappler. Accessed on 09 April 2017, http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/55546-origins-visita-iglesia.
Dominican Students’ Media Center Philippines, “Mga Karagdagang Kaalaman sa Visita Iglesia.” Facebook. Accessed on 09 April 2017, http://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1449495681789548&id=459980934074366.
However, whether we pray in front of the Altar of Repose or recite the Stations of the Cross, the faithful are invited in thanksgiving to the institution of the Holy Eucharist by reciting five times the Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Gloria Patri and to meditate on the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. This should be the aim of the Visita Iglesia – to thank the Lord for instituting the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Orders, and to meditate on the Paschal mysteries.
Nowadays, I have observed that this Lenten practice is now being reduced to tourism. Instead of meditating the Via Crucis or spending some time with the Lord in the Altar of Repose, “pilgrims” were either taking ‘selfies’ or pictures of the church or were conversing inside the church. Perhaps this is an indicator of the growth of secularism in our country, or the loss of the “sense of the sacred”, and this is lamentable.
May the practice of Visita Iglesia become an opportunity to be in the presence of the Lord, to adore and thank Him for the blessings we received. May this practice be an opportunity to rest and lay our burdens to God and to whisper our supplications to Him. May this not be an opportunity for the modern man’s vanity.
Sources:
Sylvester Juergens, SM. The New Marian Missal. New York: Regina Press. 1959.
Nigel Tan, “Origins of Visita Iglesia.” Rappler. Accessed on 09 April 2017, http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/55546-origins-visita-iglesia.
Dominican Students’ Media Center Philippines, “Mga Karagdagang Kaalaman sa Visita Iglesia.” Facebook. Accessed on 09 April 2017, http://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1449495681789548&id=459980934074366.
Argene A. Clasara is a fourth year student of AB History in the Faculty of Arts and Letters