Expats’ Guide: What is Visita Iglesia?

In the Philippines, Holy Week practices are being observed regularly among Catholic families. During Holy Week, a lot of religious people do traditions passed on from generations to generations that are significant especially that these practices are part of their religious beliefs. One of the traditions being done is the Visita Iglesia.

 

VISITA IGLESIA. A common Filipino practice during the Lenten season. (Photo via The Dailypedia)

 

Visita Iglesia, or “Seven Churches Visitation,” is a common Holy Week tradition in the Philippines. It usually starts on the evening of Maundy Thursday where the faithful visits seven churches (sometimes 14, no set number depending on the practice) to pray for the Blessed Sacrament in each church. This practice is being done as meditation and repentance for the Holy Week. Also, the Station of the Cross can be done as people visit each church to pray for a corresponding station.

This practice started from the Spanish colonists as part of its Catholic teachings. It can be traced during the medieval times when church pilgrims would visit the seven basilicas in Rome. Other theories state that Visita Iglesia originated from the early Christian communities as they commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus in 7 parts.

Since then, Filipinos have imbibed this practice every Lenten season. Churches in the Philippines are usually open until midnight so that it can accommodate church goers who would like to do the Lenten practice. To accommodate Filipinos abroad, a Visita Iglesia website was put up by religious institutions so they can still observe the tradition even when away.

Aside from it being a Lenten practice, it can also be a way to re-visit the historical culture that these churches have. It’s a great way to learn something from this tradition, and to learn something new from the Filipino culture.

 

Source report: Rappler