Holy Week and Easter 2010

Holy week of traditions and rites.

On Maundy Thursday, we went to visit 7 churches (or "Visita Iglesias"). We went to a mix of old and new churches, some we have been to before and others first time for us to visit. It was also a bit of a historical tour as we visited the Church where Diego was baptized and to the church where Julio took his first communion.

Here was the route we took:
1. St. Alphonsus (that's Diego's second name!) in Magallanes
2. Don Bosco
3. Sto. Nino Chapel (in Greenbelt)
4. St. Andrew's (in Bel-Air where Diego was baptized)
5. San Antonio (Forbes)
6. Holy Child Chapel (inside Fort Bonifacio where Julio's first communion was)
7. St. Therese's (at the Newport City), this church is newly built, and we were first timers

It is believed that if one will get his wish if he completed the Visita Iglesias.

On Good Friday, we headed to Tarlac for a pilgrimage. Our destination was the Monasterio de Tarlac, a seminary and church atop a mountain. The church is also a popular pilgrimage destination as it is the only church in Asia which has a relic or part of the original cross where Jesus Christ was nailed. It was amazing up there!

Another interesting part of the trip was seeing flagellants and penitents along the road. Ouch! We could not stand the sight of men whipping themselves and getting bloodied. We also saw some men carrying heavy crosses. Double ouch! Mom could not bring herself to photograph them- she said she gets too weak to even press the shutter button. Dad and Mom said that these penitents were making personal sacrifices to ask for repentance.

On Black Saturday, we stayed home.

On Easter Sunday, we woke up early to go to mass and celebrate Jesus' resurrection! Alleluia, alleluia! Then off for some egg hunting and partying! Happy Easter everyone!