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SEMANA SANTA 2024

Here is a list of must-visit heritage churches at the heart of the centuries-old faith capital of the country.

The interiors of San Sebastian Church, from the confessional, altar and its pulpit, are all designed in Gothic style. 

The Gothic Revival-inspired architecture of San Sebastian Church was built entirely of steel in 1891, making it one-of-a-kind in the Philippines and in East Asia.   The ivory image of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel, brought by the Carmelite sisters in 1617, is enshrined in the main altar of the church.

Binondo Church’s architectural elegance attracts locals and tourists. It has an octagonal pagoda-like belfry, which reflects a connection to Chinese culture.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene, though commonly celebrated on January 9 to commemorate its transfer from Intramuros to Quiapo Church, the proper liturgical commemoration of the Black Nazarene is on Good Friday.

San Sebastian Church was declared a National Cultural Heritage on August 1, 1973, as it stands unique as the only steel-built church with a Gothic design in the country.

The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, commonly known as Binondo Church, is located in Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila.

The Minor Basilica of San Sebastian and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is located in Pasaje del Carmen St. in Quiapo, Manila.

One of the most notable highlights inside Binondo Church is its ceiling, which is painted with the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

 Sta. Cruz Church is a significant historical and cultural landmark in Manila due to its ornate interiors. Its architectural design drew inspiration from design from the late 18th until the early 19th century, called  “Mission Revival.

The parish of Sta. Cruz, named after the Holy Cross, was established in June 1619 by the Jesuits to respond to the spirituals needs of Chinese tenants in the area.

The Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church, better known as the Sta. Cruz Church, is located in Plaza Sta. Cruz, Manila.

 Also known as the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, the church was founded in 1596 by the Dominicans to serve the needs of Chinese who converted to Catholicism in the world’s oldest Chinatown.

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, better known as Quiapo Church, is located at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila, just after Jones Bridge from Intramuros.

Sta. Cruz Church was erected as the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in June 2018 by then Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle.

Millions visit the Quiapo Church reputedly for the miracles attributed to the devotion to the Black Nazarene.

The Quiapo Church is canonically known as the Saint John the Baptist Parish under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The Manila Catheral's current structure was rebuilt in 1958 after World War II, designed in Neo-Romanesque style, and bears witness to the rich history of Catholicism in the Philippines since Spanish colonial rule.

The Jubilee 2000 Cross, where the relic of the “True Cross” is enshrined, is one of the highlights at the Manila Cathedral.

The Manila Cathedral, which houses the seat of the Archbishop of Manila, is one of the oldest churches in the country, having been built originally  in 1571.

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception known as The Manila Cathedral is located in Cabildo and Beaterio Streets in Intramuros, Manila.

This historical church, built in the 1607, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 due to its Baroque-inspired architecture and intricate façade and interior design. San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines.

For #SemanaSanta2024, Malate Church set up the 'Laudato Si Way of the Cross' as devotees reflect on the passion and death of Christ while contemplating the 'sufferings of mankind and the environment.

The interior of San Agustin Church is mostly highlighted with an artistic trompe l’oeil, a highly realistic perspective drawing, according to the National Museum of the Philippines.


 It is also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture which is under the Order of the St. Augustine.

In 2023, the National Museum declared Malate Church as an Important Cultural Property.

San Agustin Church is located on General Luna St. in Intramuros, Manila.

Devotion to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios in Malate Church is particularly known among those praying for women's health during childbirth and safe pregnancies, as well as those seeking healing for children's diseases.

Malate Church, also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, is located along M.H. Del Pilar St., overlooking Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate, Manila. The church was founded in 1588 by the Augustinian priests and was dedicated after Fr. Juan de Guevara brought the image of the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios from Andalucia, Spain in 1624.

ABS-CBN News

Holy Week in the Philippines will never be complete without the Visita Iglesia. Filipino-Catholics engage in this age-old tradition, passed down through many generations, as an act of penitence, reflecting on the life and passion of Christ through prayers.Explore century-old churches in Manila and witness devotees practice their faith during Holy Week.These seven historic churches of Manila are open to the public this Holy Week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., except for Maundy Thursday, when they will be open to the public after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.Amidst the chaos in the city, the Visita Iglesia tradition remains alive, serving as a testament to the enduring love and passion for Christ in the heart of Manila, not just as the country’s commercial capital but also as the center of our Catholic faith.The strong tradition of Visita Iglesia in the country’s capital reflects a timeless reminder of Catholics’ faith, shaping Manila as the center of Catholicism in the Philippines.

Explore century-old churches in Manila and witness devotees practice their faith during Holy Week.

Explore century-old churches in Manila and witness devotees practice their faith during Holy Week.

Visita Iglesia 2024: Prayer and reflection in historic Manila

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Visita Iglesia 2024: Prayer and reflection in historic Manila

ABS-CBN News

Published March 26, 2024 04:45 PM PHT

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Updated March 27, 2024 10:52 AM PHT

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SEMANA SANTA 2024

Manila Cathedral

Malate Church

National Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies

San Agustin Church

Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene

Quiapo Church

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church

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