Church Hop-Hopping
11:34 AM
Visita Iglesia are spanish words meaning "church visits." It's my first time to do Visita Iglesia, so I'm all hyped and excited when my friend invited me to do the hopping. I'm so giddy that i can't keep my fingers on updating my twitter status.
First ever Visita Iglesia... Me will visit 7 churches around Makati area with @JenYsabelJu and @erinssi! In 4, 3, 2, 1... GooowwRrraa!!!
We are tied with work till 0830pm on a Maundy Thursday so it's almost 1000pm when we started going around Makati Area to do the tradition. We rented a cab, for our seven church visit that cost us 600php for about 3 hours of driving around.Filipinos traditionally visit fourteen churches in remembrance of the fourteen stations. We, on the other hand visit only seven churches and pray two stations for each church.
I uttered my wishes in every church we dropped by since it's my first time to visit all seven churches. On our last stop after praying the 14th station, we ended our Visita Iglesia with high praises and praying the holy rosary.
Here are the churches we visited
First on our list
Saint Alphonsus Mary de Liguori -- Humabon Street, Magallanes Village
"We commit ourselves to be truthful and just, and to be trusted friends of all who are with us in this journey of faith, through prayer and service."
The Parish was conceptualized in 1965. Their first masses held inside the village, village park and the unfinished warehouse of the would-be South Supermarke, where the Paseo de Magallanes Commercial Center now stands. The construction of the church started on the 11th July 1968.
What I've liked about this parish is their "Garden Way of the Cross". They have sculptures pieces to show the 14 stations. :D
Santuario de San Antonio -- McKinley Road, Forbes Park
The Franciscans built Santuario de San Antonio after their mother church in Intramuros was destroyed in the closing days of World War II. To their new santuario, or sanctuary, they brought a statue of Saint Anthony that had survived the bombing of their old beloved church.
As you know Santuario is located near the two prominent village, forbes park and dasmarinas village. We are not allowed to enter the church since it's Maundy Thursday. They have their tabernacle outside and it's elegantly lighted. Since it's the land of richie rich, there were a lot of eye candies tagged as a BIG DESTRUCTION. hehehe!
Nuestra Senora de Gracia Parish -- 7440 Bernardino Street Guadalupe Viejo
“The foundations of this church and monastery of the Augustinian Order were laid in 1601 and construction work was finished in 1629. Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe was chosen titular patroness in 1803. After the Chinese uprising of 1839 this sanctuary served as a seat of devotion for the Chinese. The buildings withstood the earthquakes of 1645, 1658, 1754 and 1863. The masonry roof of the church collapsed in the earthquakes of 1880 and the structure was rebuilt in 1882 by Rev. Jose Corujedo, O.S.A. Site of an orphan asylum and trade school administered by the Augustinian Order for the benefit of the children of the victims of the cholera of 1882. Both church and monastery were gutted by fire in February 1898, during the early skirmishes between Americans and Filipinos.”
The architecture and it's historic aura left me in awe as we entered the church. The place is so gorgeous that I can't help but to admire and take photos.
St. Thomas More Chapel Ateneo Law School -- 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center
The right honourable Sir Thomas More is the patron saint of Ateneo Law School. An alumnus said, "While in law school, it was always taught that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that the accused deserves the best criminal defense whether he or she can pay for it. I did not really understand what this meant until I became a litigation lawyer. I could never serve my clients well until I prayed for them and for their circumstances. If there was anything the law school has taught me which I practice until today – STUDY, PRAY and SERVE. To date, I still pray before entering the Court room, and after leaving it. My prayers are a little more complicated now but I still pray to serve my clients well."
We are supposed to have the chapel in Don Bosco but since it's a bit far from our area, we decided to have the Ateneo chapel instead. On our way to Ateneo we're not sure if the chapel is open for visita iglesia but luckily, thanks Bro our fourth church is a success as well.
National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus -- Sacred Heart Street, San Antonio Village
The humble beginnings of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart can be likened to their experience. The devout community at Barangay San Antonio in Makati City, journeyed for decades, moving and building chapels from one site to another until they found a permanent house of worship.
The story of the Sacred Heart Shrine began in the mid 1950's when a small group of people in Barangay San Antonio was looking for a common place for worship. At that time, San Antonio was a sparsely populated village surrounded by cogon and rice fields. Deeply religious the people celebrated fiestas and held masses in makeshift chapels.
The story of the Sacred Heart Shrine began in the mid 1950's when a small group of people in Barangay San Antonio was looking for a common place for worship. At that time, San Antonio was a sparsely populated village surrounded by cogon and rice fields. Deeply religious the people celebrated fiestas and held masses in makeshift chapels.
It was past midnight when we arrived at the National Shrine, unfortunately the gate was closed and there's no other way but to pray outside. We do our 9th and 10th station and utter our own prayers.
Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish -- N. Garcia and Neptune Street Bel-Air
Built by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin in 1968, the design of this parish church in Bel-Air Makati is symbolic of the manner the martyr died crucified on an X-shaped cross. The butterfly shaped floor plan emanates from this cruciform. Many other symbolic features mark the tent-like structure, including the giant chandelier over the altar which serves as a halo over the copper cross by National Artist for Visual Art, Vicente Manansala.
I was completely mesmerized with the architectural design of the church. Though it was a bit late already there's still a lot of people in the church trying to finish their visita iglesia.
Saint Peter and Paul Parish -- 5539 DM Rivera Street Poblacion, Makati
It was built in 1620 with architecture typical of the colonial mission churches of rectangular single-nave plan composed of the nave, apse and sacristy. A three-tiered papal tiara and keys, symbols of Papacy, St. Peter being the first Pope with St. Paul, patron of the locality, dominate the façade. Focal point is the intricately carved retablo of the altar.
For our last stop, we bought some candles for our intentions and do the last two stations. It's their closing time already when we arrived but since we're charming little kids, they allowed us to enter the church :D We do the holy rosary as well, it's been ages since i do the holy rosary. It's all rusty when it comes to the mystery and some prayers like hail, holy queen. Good thing that my friend is a walking prayer book! :D
Visita Iglesia is a way to remember Jesus way to the cross, his sufferings, pain and sacrifices for us. Another way to appreciate churches, it's architectural design and the feeling of holiness when entered in such. In my case, this visita iglesia turned out to be going back in His way, after all Sundays locked in, it's time to go out and praise Him. Just what He deserves! Thank you soo much Bro!
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