Here Are The Churches You Can Visit For Visita Iglesia That Are Not Too Far From The Metro

One of the Holy Week traditions that many Pinoys still follow today is visita iglesia. It  means visiting at least seven churches normally on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. It is a popular form of sacred vows, or panata, of Pinoy Catholics that also doubles as a tour of some of the best known churches in the country.

You and your family can the visita iglesia around your city or town, and you may be surprised with what you'll discover in other barangays. This is a good way to talk to your children about your city or town, and also your experiences growing up or from the time you moved to the area.

If you're already done visiting churches in your town and would like to explore in other places that aren't too far out of of Metro Manila, you can try the ones in Rizal, such as Antipolo and its neighboring towns. But if you've also done that, you can check out the other side of Rizal, where you'll find San Mateo and Rodriguez (formerly known as Montalban).

First, make a list of the seven or more churches you'll visit. You can verify the location with a little online search, which usually results to a link to the church's Facebook page.

Next, plan your visit and make the necessary arrangements, including your baon as business establishments are usually closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Take note also of the modes of transportation available on those days, if you'll commute.

When you've started the visita iglesia, keep in mind to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament or of a row of the Stations of the Cross in each church you visit. There's a belief among devotees that prayers are granted after completing their panata.

If you opt not to travel outside your barangay, you can try instead going on a via crucis, or way of the cross. Your local chapel or parish church designates spots for each one of the Stations of the Cross, and you can check out all of them while reliving Christ's last moments.

Here's a list of churches you can visit in San Mateo and Montalban:

1. Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzanzu

Address: 1850 Gen. Luna Ave, San Mateo, Rizal

2. Sto. Nino Parish

Address: Armel 1 Subd. Barangay Sto. Niño, San Mateo, Rizal

3. Sta. Cecilia Parish Church

Address: Barangay Maly, San Mateo, Rizal

4. Our Lady f the Most Holy Rosary Parish

Address: Barangay Balite, Montalban, Rizal

5. Maria Ina ng Kapayapaan Parish Church

Address: Phase 1A, Kasiglahan Village, Brgy. San Jose, Montalban, Rizal

6. San Jose Manggagawa Parish

Address: E. Rodriguez Highway, Montalban, Rizal

7. San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

Address: Sitio Tanag, Brgy. San Isidro, Montalban, Rizal

Read here for some Semana Santa pamahiin still observed by many Pinoys.