Our Visita Iglesia 2010!

Every Holy Week, it has been the tradition of the Filipino Catholic faithful to do the Visita Iglesia, (church visit). This is held every Maundy Thursday starting 6PM onwards. This practice, was introduced by the Spanish colonizers, which goes back to the time of the early church where Christians would visit the seven great basilicas in Rome for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
 
Noel and I always practice the Visita Iglesia even before we got married, we love the idea of visiting different churches in the metro just by walking.  This time, when we already have Ren, we still did the Visita Iglesia, the only difference now was we took a car to visit the different churches nearby.  I forgot to bring my DSLR that is why we don’t have personal photos.

But for those who want to know what were the Churches we have visited, Here they are:

Since we live in Paco Manila, of course we started with our own church:

The Sto.Sepulcro Church Paco, Manila

Next stop, St. Peter the Apostle in Paco, Manila (were my son had his baptismal).  When we arrived here I really regret why I forgot to bring my camera.  The church has a very nice and cozy ambiance.  There are 3 glass fountains at the back of the Blessed Sacrament with lots of flowers and plants all over it. There presentation of the Blessed Sacrament is the best from all the churches we have been. (photo via: blissful wedding)

Third was the Sta. Maria Goretti Parish or also known as the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center.  Last year some organization or staff of the church gave away free pieces of bread.  Maybe we are just early last year because now we did not receive any (it’s okay though)

Fourth was a church close to my heart.  When I was in college, we usually do our weekly apostolic service here.   Homeless people and abandoned children were usually gathered here every Sunday to have a free meal and took some shower.  Our school (Santa Isabel) encouraged us to help nuns and some group to create fun activities and share some stories to all those people.  I’ve met different kinds of individual here, and this activity made me realize how blessed I am to have a good education with just only 1 parent raising us.  Okay enough with my story, this will take long.

Our 4th destination was the St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

Fifth destination was the Binondo Church also known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz.  Compared to the first churches we went through, this Church was visited by lots of people.  We can’t even go inside the church since it is really fully loaded.  (photo via: beyond toxicity)

If you are already in Binondo, what is the next church nearby? Of course it’s the Santa Cruz Church (photo via: my opera).  Just like Binondo Church, this church is also loaded with lots of people.

We are excited on our last destination.  We are all thirsty and hungry and we know that the next church have lots of street vendor nearby.

This church is very much memorable to us, since this is were Noel and I professed our vows.  It is the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros Manila.  (photo via: visit pinas)

I want to eat bibingka since I found one stall selling it, unfortunately I have to wait 5 minutes for it to be cooked.  I was so hungry we couldn’t wait for another minute that is why we ended up eating kwek-kwek or quail eggs in orange flour, yummy!

So, that’s it we’re done with our Visita Iglesia 2010.  Noel, told me when we arrived home which is around 12:00 PM “next time don’t forget to bring our camera okay!”… NOTED dear..

what ever happens in life we should always remember to live life to the fullest