MANILA -- One of the most famous Lenten traditions of Filipinos is the pilgrimage of "Visita Iglesia," where Catholics visit seven churches to pray.

This is commonly done during Maundy Thursdays, so Catholics can see the Altar of Repose of each church, but over the years, more Filipinos have also done it during the days leading to the Holy Week.

But where did this tradition come from?

According to church historian Aaron Veloso, the tradition dates back to the 1500's, starting with Saint Philip Neri.

"Nung isang Jubilee Year sa Rome nung 1500s, merong dineklara ang Papa na pitong basilica na nirerecommend niya sa pilgrims to gain plenary indulgence," Veloso said.

"In 1633, naisip ni Saint Philip Neri na baka yung pilgrims, magandang puntahan ang seven churches na yon," he added.

(During one Jubilee year in Rome in the 1500s, the Pope declared 7 basilica he recommended to pilgrims to gain plenary indulgence. In 1633, St. Philip Neri thought that the pilgrims may go to those 7 Churches.) 

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The seven major churches include Saint Peter's Basilica, Saint Paul's Basilica, Saint Mary Major, Saint John Lateran, Saint Sebastian, Saint Lawrence, and the Basilica of the Holy Cross.

Catholics would travel far to these churches for indulgences, or the cleansing from temporal punishment.

During the Spanish colonial rule, this tradition arrived in the Philippines starting in Intramuros, which coincidentally had seven churches, including the now Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church.

"The concept of going to pilgrimage is rampant, may mga indulgences na binibigay ang simbahan para sa mga nagpa-participate in pious traditions like that," Veloso said.

(There are indulgences that the Church does for people who participate in pious traditions like that.) 

As modern transportation bloomed, the tradition spread to other parts of the country as it became easier to travel to various churches.

During the 70s, the tradition grew, and Filipinos visited 14 churches that signify the 14 Stations of the Cross.

In Manila, common churches visited during the Visita Iglesia season include the Quiapo Church, San Sebastian Church, and the Santo Domingo Church.

Churches will be usually packed with pilgrims during the Holy Week, with throngs of devotees earnestly praying for their intentions.

For Veloso, Visita Iglesia has a deeper meaning for Filipinos.

"We are not foreign to the concept of suffering. We find the passion and death of Christ as something very similar to our lives as Filipinos," he said.

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For devout Catholic Francis Santos, Visita Iglesia has become an annual tradition, and the Lenten season will not be complete without this pilgrimage.

"Simula bata pa ako, kinamulatan ko na mag Visita Iglesia, simula pa noong panahon ng Lolo at Lola ko," Santos said.

(Ever since I was a kid, I have been doing the "Visita Iglesia," ever since the time of my grandparents.) 

They have traveled to various provinces like Bulacan, Bataan, and Rizal to keep this tradition alive, seeing churches built from different eras but mostly with colorful histories.

"Every year, iba-ibang probinsya ang pinupuntahan, so for this year, Nueva Ecija naman yung napili naming puntahan," he added.

(We go to different provinces every year. This year, we decided to go to Nueva Ecija.) 

He said he finds it very fascinating to see many Filipinos participate in the tradition of sacrifice.

"For me, parang nakikiisa ka sa buhay, kamatayan, pagpapakasakit at muling pagkabuhay ng Panginoon," he said.

"Isa siyang banal na gawain, isa siyang banal na paglalakbay," he added.

(For me, you are commemorating the life, death, the suffering and the resurrection of the Lord.)

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