"BISITA IGLESIA - 2008"

On Holy Tuesday, March 18, Nikki and I joined the annual "Bisita Iglesia" organized by our parish. I have been joining this annual lenten activity for the past 4 consecutive years. The first year I signed up, we visited Bulacan-Pampanga Churches. This was followed by the Cavite-Tagaytay area. Last year it was in the vicinity of Bulacan-Pampanga-Tarlac. This year we took the route via Bulacan onwards to Nueva Ecija.

Nikki and I were assigned to Bus No. 2. There were a total of three buses.

All Aboard!

Departure time was supposed to be at 5:00 a.m. but the time of departure as listed in the flyers that were distributed had it at 6:00 a.m. Those who have not been listening to the announcements being made during Mass celebrations were of course late in arriving. As a result, we finally left Vista Verde at exactly 5:30 in the morning.

We occupied seat no. 1 & 2

Inside Bus No. 2

Glo led the Morning Prayer, Rosary and Marian hymns as we started on our trip.

In contemplation....

It was Tuesday, still a regular working day for most people. Traffic was already heavy in some parts of Metro Manila. At exactly 6:15 a.m. we arrived at the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) Toll Gate. A number of vehicles were already lined up as one can see.

1st Stop [6:55 A.M.]: St. James the Apostles Church, Plaridel, Bulacan

1st Station: THE LAST SUPPER

Reflection: "Let us relive what Jesus has done by sharing our food so that others may eat and continue to live..."

The interior of St. James the Apostle Church

Beside the Church Marker

Historical Marker of St. James Parish

The pilgrims generously gave "love offerings" at every church stop-over.

With open hands and open hearts

Recording each activity...

2nd Stop [7:50 A.M.]: San Isidro Labrador Parish, Pulilan, Bulacan

2nd Station: THE AGONY IN GETHSEMANI

Reflection: "When a person is lonely, he needs company. He needs someone to give him comfort. He needs someone to boost him up from despair. But it is only in solitude that a person can see deeply his/her inner self, potentials, limitations and weaknesses... How beneficial and meaningful to us is Christ's self-surrender and obedience to the father's will: to die for us on the cross!"

The interior of San Isidro Labrador Church

3rd Stop [8:40 A.M.]: St. Augustine Parish, Baliuag, Bulacan

3rd Station: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Reflection : "Many are condemned because of others' rash judgment. This happened to Jesus. Shall we do this toward our neighbors?"

The interior of St. Augustine Church

Outside there was a scamper for "Chicharon."

4th Stop [9:55 A.M]: San Juan de Dios Church, San Rafael, Bulacan

4th Station : JESUS IS SCOURGED AND CROWNED WITH THORNS

Reflection : "Oftentimes we hurt others by our words or actions as we are also hurt by others. But we should remember that when we hurt our fellow human beings we are hurting Jesus."

The interior of San Juan de Dios Church

Historical Marker outside the Church

5th Stop [10:55 A.M] Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, San Rafael, Bulacan

5th Station : JESUS CARRIES THE CROSS

Reflection : "Our daily little crosses usually consist of our daily duties and obligations. If we patiently carry these, we will not be sad. Jesus carried his cross; therefore, we must carry also our own crosses."

The Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

The interior of the Church
Diocesan Shrine Marker
Nikki and Glo inside the Sacred Heart Church while waiting for the other pilgrims...

6th Stop [11:35 A.M.]: San Ildefonso Church, San Ildefonso, Bulacan

6th Station : JESUS FALLS

Reflection : "Life is not always victory or prosperity. There is a time for joy and a time for sorrow, crises and struggles. But we should not lose heart. We must strive hard to uplift the condition of our lives and be faithful to our Christian values and principles. Every day is a call to conversion, for a new life in Christ."

Inside San Ildefonso Church

The pilgrims had the chance to venerate the relics of the Saint

7th Stop [12:15 Noon time] : San Miguel Church, San Miguel, Bulacan

7th Station : SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

Reflection : "One of our Filipino custom is the 'Bayanihan.' This is one of our best qualities as a nation. We can easily offer our sympathy to a bereaved family or to be compassionate toward the needy. We do all these because we are a loving people. Christ offered his life for us because he loves us. It is a beautiful response to him if we continue to practice the 'bayanihan' and 'damayan.'"

The facade of San Miguel Church
Church marker
The interior of St. Michael's Church

It was long past lunch time and we were all hungry. We were to have our lunch at Walter Mart, Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

At the boundary between Bulacan and Nueva Ecija....

We arrived Walter Mart at exactly 1:00 p.m. We were to be back inside our buses by 2:00 o'clock....

8th Stop [2:20 P.M.]: Three Kings Parish, Gapan, Nueva Ecija

8th Station : JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Reflection : "The favorite words for many of us are 'I,' 'me,' and 'mine.' The self is exalted and made as standard to measure others. The question we must ask instead is, 'What can I do for others?'"

The interior of 3 Kings Church

At the side of the main altar can be found the Shrine of Nstra. Senora Virgen Divina Pastora

9th Stop [3:10 P.M.]: Sta. Rosa Church, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija

9th Station : JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

Reflection : "Human beings want to be respectable. All of us want to appear presentable, at least, if not beautiful. The externals are important to us. But not for Jesus."

Fr. Gerry reading the Gospel according to St. Matthew 27:33-35

On the way out of the church ground....

10th Stop [4:10 P.M.]: Diocesan Cathedral of St. Nicolas de Tolentine, Cabanatuan City

10th Station : THE FORGIVEN THIEF

Reflection : "Why do we frequently let one mistake cover ten good deeds? ... Jesus, instead, forgetss the dark spots in people's lives and he forgives. Should we not imitate him?

The beautiful sanctuary of the Cathedral
The pilgrims...
The Parish Personnel offered snacks for the hungry pilgrims. Please take note of the 50-year old Kalachuchi tree in the background.
Enjoying the taste of "putong puti and Zesto juice."

"Here, Nix, eat your food..."

11th Stop [5:20 P.M.]: San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Talavera, Nueva Ecija

11th Station : MARY AND THE BELOVED DISCIPLE AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

Reflection : "To be given a mother is a great legacy... Jesus entrusted Mary, his dearest Mother, not only to the disciple whom he loved but also to us. She, too, is our Mother."

Lining up for the veneration of St. Isidore's Relic

Praying in front of the Saint's relic...

St. Isidore, pray for us...

12th Stop [6:25 P.M.]: San Sebastian Church, Munoz, Nueva Ecija

12th Station : THE DEATH OF JESUS

Reflection : "There are two realities in life that we find difficult to accept: aging and death... Death, however, is the door to being with God forever. It is the gateway to our true home. Why should one be lonely when death is approaching?"

The main sanctuary of San Sebastian Church

The interior of the Church

13th Stop [6:55 P.M.]: Sacred Heart of Jesus Shrine, Munoz, Nueva Ecija

13th Station : JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

Reflection : "Sometimes, we only realize the value of a thing when it is gone... Jesus left his disciples when he died but his teachings and his works made him very much alive to them... Let us make Jesus and His teachings alive in our own lives."

Inside Sacred Heart Church

At the entrance...

The church facade silhouetted in the darkness of the night...

14th Stop [7:35 P.M.]: St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose, Nueva Ecija

14th Station : THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Reflection : "Jesus is risen from the dead! Is there a greater joy than this? In life and in death, Jesus was obedient to the will of God. . . Is the direction of our lives leading us to God and is it according to the path shown to us by Jesus?"

The interior of the Cathedral is simply awe-inspiring!!!

The cathedral's facade

A "Kumpisalang Bayan" was going on inside the main Church so we were ushered down the basement, at the mortuary/columbarium chapel where Fr. Gerry celebrated Mass. It was 8:00 in the evening.

Praying for one another...

Fr. Gerry praying over those who needed healing....

Time for the ride back home.... It was 9:00 P.M.

The pilgrims stopped-over for "Gatas Kalabao" (carabao's milk) at the above store, in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. It was way past my bedtime and I was overcome by sleep.... We finally had our late dinner at the NLEX at past midnight.... By the time we reached home, it was 2:30 a.m. early Holy Wednesday morning.

End Notes

1. Reflection Excerpts were taken from the leaflet "Making the New Way of the Cross Meditatively" by Fr. Ruperto C. Santos, STL, Daughters of St. Paul, 1992.

2. Photos courtesy of Nikki, my official photographer.