Holy Week Church Visit (성령 주 에 교회)

Every Holy Week in the Philippines we have the tradition of Visita Iglesia or church visits. It is one of the Catholic traditions handed to us by our Spanish colonizers of old, wherein Catholic faithfuls visit 7 churches in observance of the passion and mercy of Jesus Christ who died on the Cross.

The facade of the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City during Good Friday

Well-lighted church bells at the National Shrine of St. Joseph (St. Joseph Parish) in Mandaue City

This year, I did not see many people in the St. Joseph Parish Shrine in Mandaue City, most likely because we visited the church quite late already around 10:00 p.m. on a Good Friday. Aside from St. Joseph Parish, we also visited the San Roque Parish in Subangdaku, Mandaue City. We did not have anymore the chance to visit five more churches because it was getting late already and some of the churches, like the Peace Adoration Chapel near our home in Banilad, were already closed. So you can say we took a short cut in observing the Visita Iglesia tradition, but we did use the moment to deeply reflect on the meaning of Holy Week and Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the Cross.

People lining up to touch the statue image of the body of Jesus Christ lying at the altar

Door to the church at the St. Joseph Parish in Mandaue City

I noticed along the way to the church and on the way home that there were still establishments that were open even on a Good Friday. To name a few are Chosun Galbi in A.S. Fortuna (I think Koreans do not observe Holy Week), Jollibee in Mandaue City Centro and some business outlets in BPO buildings such as Gagfa building in Panagdait-Subangdaku-Mabolo area. Just a few years ago it wasn't like this. Business establishments placed prime observance to the Holy Week tradition that one cannot see a single shop open.

One thing has not changed though: the city roads are wide open and free of vehicular traffic.

Entrance gate of the St. Joseph Parish with the Mandaue City Hall on the background