Visita Iglesia 2017 (Part 1)

This year Maundy Thursday was last April 13, 2017.  Time for the annual visit to churches to reflect on the 14 Stations of the Cross.  This year, D suggested we start early so we could go to several churches before we attend the 5 P.M (the washing of the feet) mass.

The traditionalist in me was hesitant for the sole reason that the visit should be after the Holy Eucharist has been transferred to the adoration chapels for the vigil which usually occurs between the hours of 7 P.M to midnight. But I adhered so we shove off at around 9 o'clock that very sunny morning.

Our first stop was the Santo Domingo Church. D is quite familiar with this place of worship because it is adjacent to Angelicum school where his niece studied her elementary levels several decades ago when she still lived with him.

Santo Domingo Church

Our Lady of La Naval, Sto. Domingo Church

Then it was time to head to my alma mater, The University of Santo Tomas and specifically the UST Chapel or the Santisimo Rosario Parish. Back in my college days, I was not a socially active student, I mean I didn't join any orgs, it was pretty routine for me to study then go home for the whole four years I was at UST. But it was nice to go back and show D around my alma mater although a lot has changed,  I notice there is much development and it made me proud to be a Thomasian.

Santisimo Rosario Parish, UST

Adoration Chapel

Outdoor Stations of the Cross

Main building, UST

Our 3rd church was the Basilica Menor de San Sebastian near Quiapo. It is famed for its Gothic Revival architecture and was completed in 1891. An imposing structure located deep within a bustling Manila district that is typically crowded with people, peddlers and pedicabs. A calming and serene sanctuary amidst the chaotic environs of our nation's capital.

Stained Glass 

antiquated pulpit

Main altar

Facade of San Sebastian

Stations of the Cross

I admit I'm not familiar navigating the streets in Manila but luckily D knows his way around so he took charge of mapping our itinerary. We were heading towards the Adriatico area when we passed by a nondescript church. It turns out it was the Ermita Church which is formally known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guidance. The Parish Church of the Nuestra Senora de Guia is the home of the oldest Marian image in the Philippines. 

Ermita Church

Main altar

Adoration Chapel

Stations of the Cross

a small plaza in front of the Ermita Church with a
 Castrillo sculpture of Our Lady of Guidance

Entrance to Ermita Church

Final Jubilee of Mercy Church

The Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Mandaluyong City is a familiar place of worship as it is located just a few blocks away from our former residence. On October 11, 2016 we headed to our 5th and last Jubilee of Mercy Church. It was a balmy day due to the afternoon showers but we performed all the assigned tasks even if there were a lot of stairs involved and it was a bit difficult for my aged parents to go up and down. We received our certificate of completion from the parish office and truly enjoyed this enriching and spiritually fulfilling experience that will further cement our Catholic faith.

Jubilee of Mercy Churches (Part 2)

We had three more churches to visit on our pilgrim's passport. We scheduled it during my sister's vacation here as she was the one who informed us about this special decree from Pope Francis regarding the Jubilee of Mercy pilgrimage.

On October 06, 2016, we visited (3) Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay City. After asking for directions from a tricycle driver, we found the church along a main road amidst the busy bustle of a congested city like Pasay. Thankfully it had its own parking space within its compound. It was our first time to visit this place of worship.

On the same day, we proceeded to another church since it was on our way, home. (4) The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart is in Makati City. I've heard of this church but it was our first time to set foot inside. By the time we arrived a heavy downpour had swept the entire city. It was also almost 6 PM because a traffic jam had developed from the rains, we barely had time to properly reflect as the parish office was closing for the day.  But we were able to complete all the assigned tasks. It is a spacious and lovely shrine, hopefully I can visit it again to hear mass some day.

Jubilee of Mercy Churches (Part 1)

Well hello there ... yes I'm still around a bit busy with personal stuff and life in general. Sorting through my pictures is a good distraction for me. This made me realize I wasn't able to blog about our pilgrimage to Jubilee of Mercy designated churches, last year. This being Holy Week, blogging about churches would seem appropriate, no?

In the Jubilee Year of Mercy, from Dec. 8, 2015, to Nov. 20, 2016, some selected churches in the Archdiocese of Manila opened doors to make the pilgrimage an enriching experience. To accomplish this, Catholics need to pass through the church’s Holy Door of Mercy, profess the faith by reciting the Creed and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. In the Archdiocese of Manila, the Jubilee churches are: the Manila Cathedral; Santuario de Santo Cristo Parish in San Juan; Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Mandaluyong City; Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay City; and the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City. Since this is a pilgrimage—although a local one—the five churches in Manila made sure participants have a “passport” to guide them in their journey. After they accomplish the required activities they should proceed to the parish office for stamping of their passports.

Last May 3, 2016, we got our pilgrims' passports at (1) The Manila Cathedral.

It was a really hot day and we were drenched in sweat by the time we were done but it was an enriching and solemn experience towards being more merciful in every possible way.

(2) Sanctuario de Santo Cristo Parish in San Juan which we visited on May 05, 2016 is a church I am quite familiar with as it is located just a few blocks away from where I attended high school in the late 1980s. I remember my late aunt would hear mass at this parish every single day back then. So her driver would pick us up from home, she will be dropped off at this church then we would be taken to our school.

To be continued ... part 2!

Marching on

The month of March is upon us, obviously!  The first two months were fairly pleasant, weather wise. The whole nation was embraced by this really cool to the point of being cold climate. My kind of weather, perfect, really!

Appropriate weather to stay in bed a bit longer in the mornings all tucked in with many pillows and kumot (light blanket). I've been catching up on my long list of movies to watch, rekindling my passion and also updating my other blog where I get to put on my 'movie critic' hat. This reminds me why I started a blog in the first place .. to fuel my love for the art of cinema and sharpen my writing skills, kuno.

Being a practicing Catholic, the first day of March marked the start of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday. So yesterday, D and I heard mass and 'got crossed'. Lent is a time of profound reflection and fervent prayers to atone for our sins. It is also a time for sacrifices which can take the form of fasting and abstinence (abstain from eating meat on Lenten Fridays).  Ever since I was born, our family has followed this tradition so surely I will adhere and conform. Besides it (not eating meat) can do good for one's health regimen. 

Speaking of diet, I'm glad to announce that I have managed to stick to my exercise routine of working out 5 days a week. Yet I am not obsessed to the point that I weigh myself constantly. In fact, I have no idea what my current weight is but I feel lighter,  more energetic and it helps brighten my disposition ... so I'm marching on. =)