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Visita Iglesia By: Bro. Jeffrey Bautista

Visita Iglesia, or “Seven Churches Visitation,” is a common Holy Week tradition in the Philippines. 

It usually starts on the evening of Maundy Thursday where the faithful visits seven churches (sometimes 14, no set number depending on the practice) to pray for the Blessed Sacrament in each church. This practice is being done as meditation and repentance for the Holy Week. Also, the Station of the Cross can be done as people visit each church to pray for a corresponding station. 

It’s a surreal experience for me because to tell you honestly this is my very first time to attend Visita Iglesia here in UAE and way back home when I was in the Philippines lot of reason  why I keep so many excuses to participate during lent season.

This is the best way for us to have a silent moment, pray, and to have a self-reflection how Jesus Christ suffer and died on a cross to pay our sins and for our salvation. Being part of SFC Middle East community I am so honored and grateful because I was able to share all the experiences that I’ve been through and this is one of my smallest gesture to sacrifice and repent for the Lord.

Seven Churches, why 7 you asked ? We all know that 7 is an important number when it comes to the Faith just like the number 40.  Seven because it represents:

7 Scripture passages during Jesus’ trial
7 last words of Jesus Christ on the cross
7 Holy Wounds (If you’re familiar with the Stigmata of Saints that’s the first five wounds of Jesus Christ plus the 2 scourge marks on his left shoulder.
7 represents the Holy Sites located in Israel
There’s also the 7 deacons from the 12 apostles of Christ
Lastly, the 7 Ancient Basilica’s in Rome.


7 Churches and 14 Stations

Our first stop is St. Francis of Asissi in Jebel Ali. We left Abu Dhabi at 4:30AM and reach there at 6:30AM. The journey that we had always start with a prayer for our safe travel. First and Second station on that place capture our hearts and altogether we utter the words of wisdom from the Lord.

 Next stop is St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai. Devotees flock mainly in Dubai because this church serves as the second home not only for Filipinos but for all nationalities who want to restore their faith and to connect with God.

 Next stop is St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Sharjah. About 20 minutes travel from Dubai seems quite busy as well because of on going mass inside the chapel. Almost 11am, even the scorching hot weather won’t hinder us to strengthen our faith.

Next stop is St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Ras Al Khaimah. First time in Ras al Khaimah and felt excited about it, on our way to that church is the glittering view of sand dunes on each side of the road. Excited too for the upcoming NatCon to be held on the same church next month.

Next stop is St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Al Ain. Part of Abu Dhabi with a vast amount of people, palm trees and roundabouts. We had a 15 minutes reading of the gospel at 9th station and after that we went inside to pray and give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings that we had.

Next stop is St. Paul’s Church, Mussafah. Around 4pm but still our energy is heightened to continue serving the Lord. This church inside the industrial zone of Abu Dhabi serves as next home to a lot of people on this area.

 Last stop is St. Joseph Catholic Church, Abu Dhabi. Our next home since I live here. It serves as the haven of Filipinos working here and to all nationalities as well. We had a 20 minutes reading the holy gospel inside St. Therese Church for the last station. This church was very close to me because I did a lot of service to serve our fellow people.

Mission Accomplished!

I was very ecstatic about it because God’s love for us is infinite and never ending. Visita Iglesia 2017 around the Emirates of UAE is unforgettable experience and never I get tired serving the lord with a joyful heart.

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” 
– Mark 16:5-7


MAY GOD BE PRAISED
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