Visita Iglesia, a traditional practice of visiting and praying in at least seven churches in a single day among Roman Catholics, has been a go-through tradition during the Lenten Season, specifically on Maundy Thursday.
If you are planning to observe Visita Iglesia this coming Holy Week in the Philippines, here’s a list of must-visit churches in Manila that you can consider for this year.
1. Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception)
The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica is the widely-recognized church on the list of Visita Iglesia destinations, located in Intramuros, Manila. Among Philippine churches, the Manila Cathedral-Basilica is regarded as exceptionally special and superior. It was chosen to be the nation’s first cathedral when it was founded in 1571 because of its crucial role in spiritual leadership. Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of a basilica in 1981, which made it the only church in the Philippines to receive this distinction.
The Chapel-Shrine of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, which reflects centuries-old devotion, represents one of its unique features. The interior of this chapel depicts the souls in purgatory pleading for mercy, and it has been adorned with a marble altar piece by Giuseppe Perischetti. The Manila Cathedral-Basilica, which represents the country’s deeply rooted Catholic legacy, is the mother of all churches, cathedrals, and basilicas in the Philippines because of its rich history, beautiful architecture, and spiritual significance.
2. Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene)
Officially known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the Quiapo Church is a well-known basilica located in Manila City. It is most famous for being home to the life-size, dark-skinned Black Nazarene, a representation of Jesus Christ bearing a large wooden cross. This statue is considered miraculous by many Filipino religious believers, making it one of the most visited churches in Metro Manila during Visita Iglesia.
3. Binondo Church (Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz)
The Binondo Church, also known as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, was founded in 1596. It was built by Dominican priests in Manila’s Binondo neighborhood, the largest Chinatown globally, with the intention of converting the local Chinese population to Catholicism. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by earthquakes, fires, and armed conflicts brought on by foreign invaders for the past four centuries.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, is given prominence in the church’s name. He received his education from Dominican friars in the aforementioned church and hails from a family with Chinese and Filipino ancestry. The church bears the saint’s name and is located across from a plaza with a statue of Saint Ruiz. In this instance, Eucharistic celebrations are held with the use of Mandarin, English, Hokkien, and Filipino languages.
4. San Agustin Church (Immaculate Conception Parish)
One of the best tourist spots in the Philippines is the Walled City of Intramuros, home to the historic San Agustin Church, also known as the Immaculate Conception Parish. It is frequently visited during a tour of Intramuros, Manila, and is most recognized for being the oldest stone church in the country. The church’s architecture is notable for its beautiful ceiling in the trompe l’oeil style, which paints intricate decorations on a two-dimensional surface, as well as several altars made in the high Baroque style.
5. Malate Church (Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church)
Because of its design and surroundings, Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church, also referred to as the Malate Church, is one of the best historic churches in Manila. It provides an attractive view of the sea to tourists and mass attendees as it looks out over Manila Bay and Plaza Rajah Sulayman. The most famous feature of the church is the image of the Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Remedies, which was brought to the Philippines by Spanish settlers in 1624 and continues to be displayed on the altar.
6. Ermita Church (Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guidance)
The Ermita Church, also called the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guidance, derives its name from the Immaculate Conception Marian image that is preserved inside its walls. The oldest Marian picture in the Philippines is said to be this statue.
On the other hand, compared to other historical churches in Manila that were constructed in the Baroque style, the church’s exterior shows simplicity and modernity. A terrace situated right beneath another statue of the Virgin Mary, bordered on either side by three narrow vertical arches, rises above the church’s main entrance. A concrete crucifix and the inscription “Nuestra Senora de Guia,” in honor of the monument, can be found at the very top of the facade.
7. Baclaran Church (National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help)
The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, better known by its vernacular name, the Baclaran Church or Redemptorist Church, is a well-known Catholic national shrine located on Roxas Boulevard in Baclaran, Parañaque.
Featuring the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the shrine is among the biggest Marian churches in the Philippines. The masses of followers that crowd the church every Wednesday to celebrate Mass and recite the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help are a result of the widespread devotion among Filipino Catholics. Due to the congestion on the roads caused by pilgrims visiting the shrine, Wednesdays are known as “Baclaran Day” in Manila.
As Holy Week is fast approaching, let us allow ourselves to pause for a while, pray, and reflect by considering visiting these churches. May this Holy Week season serve as a guiding light to fill your heart with grace and a sense of spirituality.
Sources: http://manilacathedral.com.ph/, https://quiapochurch.com.ph/, https://rcam.org/minorbasilicaofsanlorenzoruiz/, https://web.facebook.com/SACImmaculateConceptionParishIntramuros/,
https://www.malatecatholicchurch.org/, https://catholicshrinebasilica.com/ermita-church-shrine-of-our-lady-of-guidance-ermita-manila-philippines/, https://www.rcam.org/sansebastianchurch/, https://www.baclaranchurch.org/
https://www.malatecatholicchurch.org/, https://catholicshrinebasilica.com/ermita-church-shrine-of-our-lady-of-guidance-ermita-manila-philippines/, https://www.rcam.org/sansebastianchurch/, https://www.baclaranchurch.org/
