Visita Iglesia in Capiz

Visita Iglesia (church visit) is a Catholic Lenten tradition which is widely practiced in the Philippines. The faithful may choose to visit 7 or 14 churches on Maundy Thursday after the Mass of the Last Supper or on Good Friday and follow the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). The Via Crucis consists of 14 Stations which traces the journey of Jesus Christ to his crucifixion and death.

Here is a pictorial guide to seven churches + one Mission Station for your Visita Iglesia in Capiz.

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Roxas City

The Cathedral sits in the heart of the cultural heritage sites of Roxas City. The current structure is from a reconstruction in 1954. This is a good place to start your Visita Iglesia.

Here are the prayers for the Stations of the Cross: https://www.catholic.org/prayers/station.php?id=15

Santa Monica Church, Pan-ay

The original church in Pan-ay was first established in 1774. A typhoon in 1875 devastated the church. It wasn’t until 1884 that it was reconstructed in the colonial Baroque style. The walls are made of coral blocks and are three meters thick (about 9.84 feet). Renovations have been made to the roof and belfry in recent years due to the ravages it has suffered from termites and the passage of time. It was once again devastated by typhoon Yolanda in 2013 but has now been repaired. Santa Monica is a National Historical Landmark. There are public vans (PUV) that go to Pan-ay from Roxas City.

Retablo, Santa Monica Church

This is one of two wooden retablos in the church. Note the intricate carving. Over a century old, these retablos are often overlooked by visitors.

St. Tomas de Villanueva Church, Dao

The 150-year old façade of St. Tomas de Villanueva is made of coral sandstone capped by a pediment. Note how the thick walls create deep recesses that lead to arched doors and geometrical windows. The Church was built by the Augustinian Congregation during the Spanish colonial period. Dao is a 45-minute ride from Roxas City.

St. Martin de Tours, Dumalag

The moss covered buttresses, bell tower and walls of St. Martin de Tours are all that remain of the original façade after an earthquake in 1948. The original structure is from 1833 and is made of yellow sandstone. Every level of the five-storey bell tower has a bell of varying sizes made in 1881.

Main Altar, St. Martin de Tours

Our Lady of the Snows, Dumarao

Nuestra Señora de las Nieves was razed by fire in 2009. The pink façade and belfry that dates back to 1728 are all that remain of the original structure.

Santa Catalina, Mambusao

Main Altar, Santa Catalina

The windows of the painted dome illuminate the interior of Santa Catalina Church. Mambusao is reached by buses and PUVs from Punta Dulog Bus Terminal in Roxas City.

Meditation Hills Healing Chapel, Maninang, Sapian

Praying or meditating is easier when surrounded by the lush hills of Sapian. Climbing to the top of the hill to pray at the Cross that overlooks the countryside can only add to the religious experience.

Meditation Hills

Beautifully landscaped grounds of Meditation Hills is a nice respite from the bustle of the city. Sapian is easily reached by PUVs from Roxas City.

Padre Pio Mission Station in Gabuan, Roxas City is especially beautiful at sunset. I heard an intriguing story about how it’s bell was dug up from the shores of Dumolog, a neighboring sitio.

For more information about Capiz, please check out Capiz Tourism.

See you soon in Capiz.

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

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