La Isla Pilipinas offers Visita Iglesia tours
MANILA, Philippines - The Visita Iglesia is one of the most pleasant traditions that Catholics observe during the Lenten season. And by going to the right churches, two things can be done at the same time — offer a solemn prayer, and immerse in culture kept alive within the walls of ancestral churches.
La Isla Pilipinas Tours Inc. is offering three Visita Iglesia tours during the Holy Week. On March 27, Holy Wednesday, visit seven beautiful Catholic worship sites in the province of Batangas — Lipa, San Jose, Cuenca, Taal, Caysasay, and Tagaytay.
Fr. Nelson Osorio, OSJ, a well-loved healing priest from the Oblates of St. Joseph, will lead a general healing pray-over for tour participants during the stop in San Jose.
On March 28, Holy Thursday, one has the option to either go to Spanish-era churches in the province of Bataan or to ancestral churches in the province of Pampanga.
In Bataan, the tour takes participants in air-conditioned buses to Hermosa, Orani (home to the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Orani), Samal, Abucay (whose church is a national historical landmark), Balanga, Pilar, and Orion.
In Pampanga, church stops will be in Sta. Rita, Betis (whose church is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Philippinesâ€), Bacolor, Minalin, Angeles, Arayat, and San Luis.
Reservations are now accepted at La Isla Pilipinas Tours Inc. at 926-0224 or 514-5714, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 0917-8274518 and 0917-5270606 after office hours.
