Seven Church Visitation

April 5, 2012: It has been our family tradition to go on a pilgrimage every Maundy Thursday to visit seven churches. This is one way of showing God the Father how we appreciated all that he has given us including sacrificing his only Son who died on the cross to save us from original sins. As always, we start our pilgrimage at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City.

Next stop, a church dedicated to St. Joseph in Baras, Rizal. The church has a simple facade and a well preserved interior. It was completed in 1686.

For the 5th and 6th stations, we stopped at the church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal. Listed as one of the National Cultural Treasures, the church is made of adobe which dates back in 1780s. The church's Stations of the Cross is a 200 year-old creation of an artist known only as the Master of Tanay.

Nuestra Senora de Candelaria chruch in Mabitac, Laguna was our next stop. The church is found on top of a hill overlooking the whole town and can be reached by 129 steps from the main road. Only the church bell tower survived destruction from the world war.

The Church of Nuestra Senora de La Natividad in Pangil, Laguna was next on our list. An image of the Virgin Mary depicting her pregnancy of the Child Jesus was housed in this church. The original church structure was destroyed during the world war 2.

Station 11 and 12 were recited at the Church of San Pedro Alcantara in Pakil, Laguna. One of the Jubilee Churches in the country, it is the home of Virgen de Turumba. The feast of the Turumba is said to be the longest that lasts for seven months.

One of my favorite towns in Laguna is Paete. Known as the carving capital of the Philippines, Paete is home to the best wood carving artists in the world. We usually end our Stations of the Cross at St. James the Apostle church. This church has a Western Baroque style.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings you had showered my family.