‘Visita Iglesia not time for Stations of the Cross’

A Catholic priest said praying before the Stations of the Cross must be done tomorrow, Good Friday and not during the traditional Visita Iglesia today, Maundy Thursday.

Fr. Carmelo Arada, assistant director of the Archdiocese of Manila’s Liturgical Commission, issued the clarification after he noticed that many Catholics reflect and pray before the stations of the Cross on a Thursday.

“It should be made clear that the Visita Iglesia is not the time for the praying of the Stations of the Cross because this should be prayed during Good Friday and Fridays of Lent,” he pointed out.

“Visita Iglesia is really a time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament that is reposed during Holy Thursday. In churches there is what you call the Altar of Repose, where the Blessed Sacrament is reposed, so that is where we focus our prayers,” added Arada.

Praying before the Blessed Sacrament, he said, is very significant because on Holy Thursday the faithful commemorate the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.

“We can only find its meaning when we look at the cross. It’s like a ritual anticipation of what will happen in the cross. It is where Jesus offered His body and blood for the salvation of all,” said Arada

“It’s in that spirit that we go to churches and remember that the real meaning of Holy Week is Jesus died for us out of love for us,” he added.

Arada also clarified that there is no required number of churches to visit during Visita Iglesia.

“There is no required number... its the personal decision of the person,” he said.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio earlier already belied the belief that one must need to visit at least 7 or 9 churches for the “visita iglesia” in order for one’s wish to be granted.

“The main point of “Visita Iglesia” is really for the faithful to do a vigil on the Blessed Sacrament,” the CBCP Media Director said at that time.

“No matter what church it is, whether it’s big or small, shrine or not, what is important is the vigil on the Blessed Sacrament,” added Quitorio.