Baguio City Churches For Visita Iglesia 2018

The Lenten Season, also known as Holy Week, is upon us. While most Filipinos relish this long vacation to relax and recharge, it is also a good time to reflect. Because the Philippines is predominantly Christian, spiritual practices also abound during this season of Lent. Visita Iglesia, or seven churches visitation is one of them.

Visita Iglesia traces its roots in ancient Rome, where Christians visited seven churches during Maundy Thursday as a form of penance. In the Philippines, the Augustinian missionaries from Spain introduced the practice in the 1560s.

Visita Iglesia In Baguio

The practice is seen by the devout as a spiritual one, a chance to make penance for one’s sins. For most however, it is seen as a chance to travel and do some sightseeing. In Manila and parts of Southern Luzon for example, visita iglesia can be combined with heritage tours, as most of the churches here are over 300 years old.

Baguio may not have old churches, but it does have enough churches to complete a visita iglesia. So if you happen to be in the City of Pines during the Holy Week, here are the churches you should include in your visit.

1. Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral (Session Road) – popularly known as the Baguio Cathedral, this 80 year old church is perched on a hill along Session Road. Admire its pink facade and towers, as well as its beautiful stained glass windows.

2. Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church (Kisad Road) – The church’s facade is also filled with stained glass windows that are a sight to behold when the sun shines through them. A replica of the Grotto of Lourdes in France can also be found here.

3. St. John Bosco Parish (M. Roxas Street, Trancoville) – this is the second church in Baguio which has a pink facade.

4. St. Vincent de Ferrer Parish Church (Naguilian Road) – one of the most accessible churches in the city, which is perched on a small hill along the main road.

5. St. Joseph the Worker Church (Pacdal Circle) – this church is strategically located and is only a few minutes walk from Botanical Garden and Wright Park. It was also the church where Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales tied the knot.

6. Pink Sister’s Chapel (Brent Road) – the Pink Sisters are not only in Tagaytay – they also have a convent and a chapel here in Baguio. Like St. John Bosco and the Baguio Cathedral, the church is also rose-colored.

7. Holy Family Church (Bakakeng Road) – this church sets itself apart from the rest because of its modern design, with high ceilings and wide altar.