Visita Iglesia

Part of the family tradition during Maundy Thursdays after hearing the Mass is to visit seven churches around the metro to reflect and pray. For the past years, we would always go to the nearby churches (the ones in Marikina and Antipolo areas) so we could go home early. This year, we decided to tweak our itinerary a little by visiting the churches close to our hearts. We initially wanted to visit Christ the King in Greenmeadows (to pay tribute to the church that wed us) but it's out of the way so we dropped the idea (we were just there during our 3rd anniv anyway). After discussing (and arguing) on the itinerary for half an hour, we all agreed to visit these churches:

Nativity of Our Lady Parish, Industrial Village Marikina City

St. Claire Monastery, Katipunan Ave Quezon City

Sta. Maria Della Strada Parish, Katipunan Ave Quezon City

St. Joseph Shrine, Cubao

UST Church

and finally...

Quiapo Church (this being our last stop, always)

Traffic was bad everywhere. Parking was hopeless but for some reason, we were always able to get a slot (thanks to PHN). There were a lot of devotees last night. Throngs of humanity in every church we've been to.

After saying our prayers in Quiapo, Arthuz and I went out of the church to catch some air. While waiting outside, he suddenly shared how significant this night is to him. He told me these exact words: "Ma, it feels weird. A good kind of weird though." I asked, "Baket?". He continued on: "I remember, I was at this same church, at the same day, and almost the same time last year. And I prayed hard. I interrupted with "..then?" He goes. "Alam mo ma, lahat ng pinagdasal ko kay Nazareno last year, lahat.. natupad. He didn't spare anything. Totoo yun" Then for some reason, tears started to well from my eyes. You all know how much of a believer I am in the Black Nazarene, and unless theres a valid reason for me not to attend the first mass every Friday, I go. I have been a devotee for more than a year now and I have experienced his miracles right before my eyes. I know that he answers my prayers and I have found peace and contentment the day I welcome Him into my life. But for my husband to also share the same experience is something beyond words. I can't explain the feeling. It's so wonderful. And magical. And great.

Because we were all famished after 5 long hours, we stopped by Shakeys along Katipunan Ave (yup folks, the one accross Ateneo gym and beside McDonalds) for some garlic and cheese pizza, mojos, calamari and fish chips. We reached home around 2am.

Visita Iglesia is one tradition that I intend to carry on with my children. We used to have Visita Altares back in my hometown and since Naga is such a small city, we don't need a car to go around. We would walk from our house going to Centro, stopping by all 13 stations to pray. Then, we would have our final stop at the Plaza to buy peanuts before heading home. Simple life, I know. But it was good.

May you all have a great weekend.