By Brian Campued
As Catholics commemorate Lent, Filipino faithful practice various traditions to show their “panata” to Jesus—one such custom is the Visita Iglesia, wherein pilgrims pray and reflect on the Stations of the Cross as they visit seven churches.
If you still haven’t decided on your itinerary of sacred sites this Holy Week, a religious leader shares at least six alternative places where you can still meditate on the suffering of Christ and make this week-long period of penance even more solemn and meaningful.
In an interview on Rise and Shine Pilipinas, Most Rev. Roderick Maglonzo Yneco, the Superior General of the Mission Society of Saint Anthony the Great Religious Congregation, urges Filipino Catholics to visit places that offer spiritual solace and recall the teachings of Jesus. The following is a rundown of alternative pilgrimage sites, or as Most Rev. Yneco puts it—”Ang Pitong Sakramentong Simbahan ng Buhay”:
-
Hospitals
Pilgrims may visit hospitals to rekindle their gratitude to God for the gift of life. Yneco says that by visiting these medical institutions, the faithful can feel fortunate that they are blessed with healthier bodies so that they can continue to face each day with renewed strength.
“[Ipinakikita] sayo ng Panginoon na mas masarap pa ring mabuhay nang may maayos na pangangalaga sa sarili.”
-
Prisons
Stressing the value of being grateful, the priest calls on the sinful to reflect on their behavior and actions by visiting detention centers. Just like how Christ atoned for humanity’s sins, people should repent during Holy Week and seek forgiveness from Him.
“Sinong mas mapalad sa inyo: sila na nagbabayad ng kanilang kasalanan o ikaw na nakalabas pero patuloy na nagkakasala na walang anumang binabayaran?”
-
Orphanages
As the Bible teaches us to respect our parents, Yneco suggests visiting orphanages to help us remember how privileged some of us are to grow up with a loving family. For as long as we honor our parents, we are also glorifying God.
“Iyong mga batang iyon, kakainin na lang ay pinanghihingi pa, pati ang kanilang mga sinusuot. Samantalang ikaw na pinalaki ng magulang sa isang maayos at marangal na buhay, ay reklamador pa at hindi pa kuntento.”
-
Homes for the aged
Also connected to the value of honoring parents, visiting care homes for the aged would also give us a moment to reflect on getting old—and that nobody has control over it, only God. We can only hope that by the time our skin turns to wrinkles, hair becomes thinner, or knees get weaker, we will know that we have lived a life that is worthwhile.
“Isipin mo na darating din ang panahon na tatanda ka rin, at ayaw mo na dumating ’yong panahon na iyon na wala kang pinakatandaan na pisikal, emosyonal, o ispiritwal.”
-
IP Communities
Lent also gives us the opportunity to contemplate on being content in our lives—something we can learn from Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Yneco invites those who are used to living in the hustle and bustle of the city to take a step back and breathe in the simplicity of life.
“Tingnan n’yo ang simpleng buhay, napakasimple ng buhay nila pero meron silang peace of mind; hindi sila naghahangad ng makamundo, kung anong meron sila sapat na sila doon. Samantalang tayong nandito sa kapatagan ay naghahangad pa ng maraming bagay na nagdadala sa atin para mawala ‘yong loob natin sa Diyos.”
-
Your worst enemy
The sixth “landmark” Yneco mentioned is the hardest of them all: to meet your worst enemy. As the Bible reads, one must love thy enemy in order to be free from hatred and contempt.
“Lapitan mo ang pinakamasama mong kaaway—yakapin mo siya, patawarin mo siya, palayain mo ang sarili mo, at palayain mo siya.”
-
Church
Lastly, pilgrims should go to the church to ruminate on their journey and reach out to Him. After all, where else would you go to foster spiritual reflection and strengthen your faith during Holy Week but churches?
“Magkumpisal, harapin ang Diyos, at magnilay ka sa lahat ng pinuntahan mo.”
As the Holy Week recalls the events from the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem leading up to His suffering and death on the cross and His resurrection, Filipino faithful should also reflect on His sacrifice and agony. For Most Rev. Yneco, there are three important things we must do during this solemn period: “Magsisi. Magbalik-loob. Magbagong-buhay.”
“Kapag naibalik natin ’yong nawalang loob natin sa Diyos, magiging maganda ang relasyon natin sa Kaniya; at anumang paghihirap ang nararanasan natin sa buhay na ito huwag natin kalilimutan na ang Diyos—si Kristo na muling nabuhay, namatay sa krus, na iniligtas tayo—ang siyang maghahatid sa atin sa isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya.” –av
READ MORE: https://ptvnews.ph/expressing-filipino-devotion-must-visit-churches-for-visita-iglesia-2024/
