Rood awakenings
During Lent, Filipino Catholics visit seven churches, a practice known as Visita Iglesia, to pray the Stations of the Cross and other devotional prayers.
Visita Iglesia is like “surfing two waves with one board.” The “pilgrims” not only drive a distance from home to visit these beautiful churches but they use the time to play tourist: out to learn, explore and appreciate new sights and eats.
Every town has an impressive collection of altars, sacred art, images and relics with interesting stories of miracles and divine presence. Of course, there are the usual stretch-your-limb stops at local restaurants as well as the market or makeshift stalls for homemade goods and produce.
In the Stations of the Cross or Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), we focus on the different moments of Jesus’ journey to Calvary. We also make an individual examination of conscience reflecting and calling to mind our sins, failings, and trials in life that we could offer or bring up to Jesus.
In 1991, Pope John Paul II used a new series of the Stations of the Cross based purely on the scriptural writings in the Bible. Some of the churches you will visit would have updated the 14 icon images:
1st Station: The Last Supper. At the Passover meal, Jesus dined with his 12 apostles, predicted their betrayal and instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
2nd Station: Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (meaning “oil press”), which is located in the slope of Mount Olives. Jesus spent a sleepless night in anguish and in deep prayer. He was exceedingly sorrowful thinking of the pains, torture, shame and sufferings that he was going to go through in fulfillment of God’s plan to save man from damnation. God sent an angel to comfort and console Jesus.
3rd Station: The Trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, a Jewish court of law composed of spiritual leaders or rabbis. Think about your own experience of rejection, of being maligned, misquoted, misunderstood, and being falsely accused with malicious lies.
4th Station: Scourging and Crowning with Thorns. Lift up to God all your bodily pains, sickness, discomfort, mental anguish and helplessness.
5th Station: Jesus Receives the Cross. The cross represents sacrifice and penance. It can also refer to the responsibilities and commitments that may be difficult to bear including the tasks and sacrifices borne out of these commitments.
6th Station: Jesus falling. Liken this to the stress, the torment you carry, the disappointments, the failures in your life.
7th Station: Simon carries the cross. Think of the friends and relations who stood by you and offered help and assistance. The helpers who eased your tasks, work and duties, and those who offered unexpected aid.
8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. Think of those who serve in their capacity as keepers of home, as nurturer and the source of comfort, even solace, giving protection and shielding you from harm and mishaps.
9th Station: Jesus stripped of his garment. “Strip” your attachment to things, to persons, to the call of the limelight, to fame, and power. Simplify your life and focus on who and what matters most.
10th Station: The Repentant Thief. Can you look at the other side of the coin? Can you learn to forgive those who have hurt, betrayed and wronged you? Develop compassion and understanding.
11th Station: Jesus with Mary and John. Jesus gave Mary to us as our mother. Pray for family, for those who’ve been part of your life and have become like family as well.
12th Station: Jesus dies (The image of Jesus on the Cross or the Crucifix, or the Rood). Your “real prayer” must be to die to oneself. Humble yourself. Remember Jesus in his humility and kindness. Imitate Jesus and be like him.
13th Station: Jesus was taken down from the Cross and laid in the tomb. What do I need to “bury” in my life? Pride, obsession, ego, greed, vengeance, quest for power and money. Bury the past, old sorrows and hurtful memories. Purify your memories.
14th Station: Resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus rose from the dead, he stayed on for another 40 days. Thousands witnessed this before Jesus finally went up to Heaven, body and soul. Think of the promise of salvation made by Jesus on the Cross. His ultimate sacrifice gained for us eternal life.
So many lives were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and that has eroded our hope and confidence. In a talk given by Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP, he emphasized the need to pray and restore that climate of hope.
Prayer plays a pivotal role in our life. Even for Jesus, he drew a lot of strength from praying. He prayed to seek God in the midst of trials and challenges. By praying, Jesus kept constantly in touch, talking and communicating with God, his Father. This is at the heart of prayer — that constant desire for the presence of God every day.
Fr. Domie said that in praying, there is that longing for God coupled with the act of thanking and showing gratitude to God for life, for creation.
Admittedly, we contributed to damaging the earth and creation. Things like the improper disposal of waste and garbage, the disregard for the environment, messing up the ecosystem, illegal deforestation, mining blasts, exploitation of our natural resources, the forest and marine life. This is as good a time as any to think of ways to restore and rehabilitate creation.
But through it all, God never grows tired and weary. He always takes the initiative, the first step to bring us back. We thank God for his constant, unwavering presence.
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Visita Iglesia in Bulacan: Divine Mercy Church, Marilao, San Miguel Arcangel Church, Marilao Church of San Agustin, Baliuag Santiago Apostol, Plaridel Barasoain Church, Malolos, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Malolos St John the Baptist Church, Calumpit; Visita Iglesia in Batangas: Invencion dela Sta Crus Parish, Alitagtag (green altar), San Sebastian Cathedral, Lipa Mount Carmel Church, Lipa Parish of St Joseph the Patriarch, San Jose San Isidro Labrador, and Cuenca San Roque Parish Church, Lemery; Visita Iglesia Pangasinan: Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag; Visita Iglesia Makati: Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Forbes Park; Colegio de San Agustin Church, Dasmariñas Village; Mary Mother of Hope, Landmark Chapel; Sto. Niño de Paz, Greenbelt Chapel; Our Lady of the Rosary, SM Mall; St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Bel Air Village; and St Alphonsus Marie de Liguori Parish, Magallanes Village.
