Visita Iglesia, Abra

Visita Iglesia 2020

Visita Iglesia Abra 2020

What is Visita Iglesia?

The Visita Iglesia ( Spanish for “ to visit churches “ ) is a Holy Week tradition where believers visit and pray in a minimum of seven different churches around the Stations of the Cross.

The Pilgrimage can be done in one day, usually on Maundy Thursday (which is the day before Good Friday, and is a Christian holiday and regular non-working holiday in the Philippines.)

Pilgrims on Maundy Thursday must seek and locate the Altar of Repose platform and respect the Lord’s presence. People may pray there or proceed to the Stations of the Cross.

Pilgrims pray at two stations of the Cross in seven different churches to complete the fourteen (14) Stations of the Cross.

For the Visita Iglesia Abra this year we will be visiting the following churches. 

Church of Our Lady of the Pillar, San Isidro, Abra

The first SVD Mass in the Philippines was held on this site on 24th August 1909. San Isidro is known as the cradle of the SVD in the Philippines.

Checkout the Historical Markers outside the church.

There is also a small museum beside the church which is worth spending some time in. There are many artifacts and photographs from the history of the SVD in San Isidro.

St.Joseph in San Jose, Manabo

Built in 1912 this colonial church is one of the few wooden ones left in Abra . The framework was shipped up the Abra River to Manabo by bamboo raft, then hauled by Carabao (Water Buffalo) to the building site. 

St. Narcissus Church, Bucay,

Near the town plaza, stands the centuries-old Catholic church, convent and learning school. 

The Church was rebuilt around 1900  and moved from its original position, on todays Plaza, across the street and a bit to the north. 

There were instructions that as much of the old structure should be used whenever reconstruction was carried out. 

Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church, Tayum

Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church, located in Tayum, Abra, is claimed to be the best preserved church complex in the province and is a National Cultural Treasure.

The church was built in the 19th century by the secular clergy who were on a mission for the Tinguian tribe. Beside the church is the convent which was turned into a house for nuns and is presently a school.

The small shrines of the Via Crucis are found around the churchyard, continuing to the main streets. The church’s highlights are the Palayok art motifs while the examples of early Tinguian art, like the carved baptismal window, are kept in the bishop’s residence in Bagued.

From the belfry there is a magnificent view of the Cordillera mountains, the Abra valley and the Abra river.

Visita Iglesia Abra 2020

Holy Cross Parish Church, Lagangilang

The Catholic Parish Church of the Holy Cross in Lagangilang is one of the few remnants of the cultural heritage left by the Spanish colonizers in Abra.

Saint James the Elder Parish, Bangued

Originally founded by the Augustinians who built a church in the 19th century, only to be destroyed during World War II.

The Seculars, took over built the present structure after the war. It’s a quaint yet simple facade dominated with lines.

Our Lady of Peace Church, La Paz

The Church was founded by Fr. Bernardo Lago OSA in 1832 he also built a temporary chapel and school.
In 1881 Fr. Francisco Ornía OSA started to build the present structure of stone and brick. The work was continued in 1888 by Fr. Paulino Fernandez OSA, and completed by Fr. Mariano García OSA who also built the convent.

Abong Abong – La Paz

To end our Visita Iglesia day around Abra we will join the throngs of people wandering the streets of La Paz viewing this years Abong Abong creations.

The barangays of La Paz annually compete to see who builds the best structure. Some are really extravagant.

What is an Abong Abong?

Abong Abong are structures made of Bamboo and Abel reflecting the use of local materials.

A couple of weeks before Easter construction starts in the streets around Poblacion. The theme varies from year to year but the scenes are the same. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are the main days with the scenes depicting the Crucifixion of Christ.
An inter-barangay competition is held with the best Abong Abong taking the prize.

Visita Iglesia Abra 2020

Links to Articles on Visita Iglesia Abra

• Visita Iglesia Abra| A Holy Week Pilgrimage in the Northern Province of Abra, Philippines