Visita Iglesia? Where to go in Metro Manila and nearby cities

The Visita Iglesia is a well-known Holy Week tradition wherein Filipino Catholics pay pilgrimage to Jesus’ suffering and death.

Filipino Catholics believe that by remembering the Passion of Christ by visiting different churches and praying the 14 Stations of the Cross, their wishes would be granted.

Some churches also install special locations where devotees could kneel, meditate, and say their prayers depending on where they are in their Visita Iglesia journey.

This panata is often done in groups during Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Ahead of time, local government units have organized and recommended best possible Visita Iglesia options for devotees in their areas.

Some have been listed below:

Intramuros, Manila

Home of several centuries-old churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a protected hub of Manila and Philippine art and history, the Intramuros Administration released a list of nine churches for the Visita Iglesia traditions.

• The Manila Cathedral

Mother Church of the Philippines and seat of the Archbishop of Manila

• San Agustin Church

UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Father George Willmann, SJ Chapel
• Santa Rita Chapel
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel
•  Letran Chapel
• Saint Matthew’s Chapel
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine

The administration also announced a temporary road closure from General Luna Street to Santa Clara Street during the Semana Santa.

Motorists have been advised to take alternate routes, while designated parking spots have been identified for P50 per day parking flat rate.

Manila

Aside from Intramuros, the public can also visit these churches in other parts of the city:

• Tondo Church
• Immaculada Conception Church
• Sta. Cruz Church
• Quiapo Church
• San Sebastian Church
• Binondo Church
• Sampaloc Church
• Penafrancia de Manila Church
• Sta. Ana Church
• Paco Church
• Malate Church
• Ermita Church

Makati City

The Makati City government on Monday recommended ten different churches for devotees to choose from.

• National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Santuario de San Antonio
• Holy Family Parish
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish – Makati
• Saint Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri Parish
• Saint Peter and Paul Parish
• Saint Joseph the Worker Parish
• San Idelfonso Parish
• Holy Cross Parish (Dambana ng Banal na Krus)
• National Shrine of the Sacred Heart

Quezon City

On Tuesday, the Quezon City government also released their top ten recommended churches for the 2024 Visita Iglesia.

• Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
• Santo Domingo Church
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
• The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine)
• Holy Cross Parish, Krus na Ligas
• Nuestra Madre Santa Clara de Manila
• Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
• Basilica Minore de Santuario de San Pedro Bautista

The local government also released a list of churches per district which the residents can visit. The public can click here or visit the QC government Facebook account to see the complete list and location map of churches.

Taytay, Rizal

The Public Information Office of Taytay on Sunday released seven different churches that devotees may visit for Visita Iglesia within their area.

• Christ the King Parish
• Mary Queen of Peace Parish
• San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish
• San Felipe Neri Parish
• Mary, Mother of the Church Parish
• San Antonio de Padua
• Minor Basilica and Parish of St. John the Baptist

Mass schedules for all seven churches from Palm Sunday, Mar. 24, up to Easter Sunday, Mar. 31,  have also been released ahead of time.

Bacoor, Cavite

A total of fourteen churches were listed by the Bacoor City Tourism on Monday for devotees to choose from for their Visita Iglesia pilgrimage.

• Saint Michael the Archangel Parish
• San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish
• Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish (Salinas I)
• Saint Martin de Porres Parish
• Holy Trinity Parish
• Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish
• Nuestra Señora dela Paz Y Buen Viaje Parish
• Inay Maria ng Magnificat Parish
• Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish (Queen Row West)
• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish
• Santo Niño de Molino Parish
• Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish
• Saint Jude Thaddeus the Apostle Pastoral Center

Mandaluyong City

Meanwhile, the Mandaluyong City also released a list of Senakulo performances to take place over the Holy Week.

• Dulaang Matiyaga Senakulista

Jun Torres Gymnasium, Barangay Hagdan, Bato Libis

March 27 to March 30, 8 p.m.

• Tanghalang Mandaluyong

San Francisco Street (Open Canal), Barangay Hulo

March 29 to March 30, 7 p.m.

• Teatro Mandaleño

E. Pantaleon Street corner P. Oliveros Street, Barangay Barangka Ibaba

March 25 to March 30, 8 p.m.

• Kabataang Senakulista ng Mandaluyong

Maria Clara St. cor. Kapalaran St. Barangay Barangka Drive

March 25 to March 30, 8 p.m.

• Genesis to Jesus Productions Inc.

Infront of the Barangay Addition Hills Hall

March 27 to March 29, 6:30 p.m.

• Kapisanang Barangay

March 28 (Thursday) starting 7 a.m. - Plainview, Namayan, Barangka Drive, Barangka Ibaba, Barangka Itaas, New Zaniga, Hagdang Bato Itaas, Hagdang Bato Libis

March 30 (Friday) starting 7 a.m. - Kalentong, Pag-asa, Poblacion, Hagdang Bato Itaas, Burol

To know the recommended Visita Iglesia sites and activities within your area, check with your local public information or tourism office.—AOL, GMA Integrated News