13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 1

written & photographed by: fergus jm ducharme

Visita Iglesia 2015 English Edition

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 2

Mabuhay!

There are many who are unable to participate in the Holy Weektradition of visiting 7 Churches and doing the Way of the Cross, for allsorts of reasons.

Some may be far from home in the Americas, in the Middle East,Europe, Asia or elsewhere around the world, while others are confinedto their homes due to old age or illness and still others may be atwork.

We have therefore prepared a small touch of home for Holy Week tooffer you the opportunity to visit 7 historic churches in Philippines andelsewhere around the world with two Stations of the Way of the Crossat each church to help with your Holy Week observances.

Again this year, we offer you both the Tagalog and the Hiligaynonversions of our Visita Iglesia.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 3

For the Easter Week Devotions in 2015 we have selected these old andhistoric churches to visit.

1. A UNESCO World Heritage Site; The Church of San Agustin, Manila2. The Church of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo.3. The Church of San Sebastian, Quiapo.4. The Church of Our Lady of the Pillar, Imus, Manila.5. The 1,000 year old Church of Trémolat, France6. The Cathedral - Basilica of Notre Dame, Montréal, Québec7. A UNESCO World Heritage Site; The Primate Cathedral of the

Americas, The Basilica of Santa María la Menor, Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 4

When we make the Way of the Cross, we think of the sufferings ofJesus for love of us. We accompany him from Jerusalem to Calvary.

Jesus suffered and died so that he might save us from sin and hell sothat he might bring us to heaven. Let us make the Stations of theCross with devotion. Let us think of Jesus and how much he loves us.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 5

PREPARATORY PRAYER

Dear Jesus, you suffered so much for me. Help me to understand howmuch you love me. I want to love you too. I want to accept my crossfor love of you. I am sorry for having offended you many times. I wantto be really good. Please help me.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 6

1st Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site;The Church of San Agustin, Manila

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 7

1st Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site; The Church of San Agustin, Manila

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 8

1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 9

Lord Jesus, do not allow us to be among those who actunjustly.

Do not allow the strong to take pleasure in evil, injustice &tyranny.

Do not allow injustice to condemn the innocent to despair anddeath.

Confirm them in hope and illumine the consciences of thosewith authority in this world, that they may govern withjustice. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 10

2nd Station: Jesus receives his cross.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 11

Lord Jesus, who accepted humiliation & stood alongside theweak, we entrust to you all who are humiliated andsuffering, especially those from the tormented East.

Grant that they may find in you the strength to be able tocarry their Cross of hope with you.

We place into your hands all who are lost, so that, thanks toyou, they may find truth and love. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

2nd Station: Jesus receives his cross.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 12

2nd Church: The Church of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 13

2nd Church: The Church of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 14

2nd Church: The Church of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 15

3rd Station: Jesus falls for the first time

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 16

Lord Jesus, raise us from our own falls, lead our wanderingspirit back to your Truth.

Do not allow human reason, which you created for yourself, tobe satisfied with the partial truths of science andtechnology without seeking to pose the fundamentalquestions of the meaning of our existence.

Grant, Lord, that we may open ourselves to the action of yourHoly Spirit, so that he may lead us to the fullness ofTruth. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

3rd Station: Jesus falls for the first time

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 17

4th Station: Jesus meets his mother

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 18

Lord Jesus, in our families we too experience the sufferingscaused to children by their parents and to parents by theirchildren.

Lord, grant that in these difficult times our families may beplaces of your presence, so that our sufferings may be turnedto joy.

Support our families and make them oases of love, peace andserenity, in the image of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

4th Station: Jesus meets his mother

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 19

3rd Church: The Church of San Sebastian, Quiapo.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 20

3rd Church: The Church of San Sebastian, Quiapo.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 21

3rd Church: The Church of San Sebastian, Quiapo.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 22

5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 23

Lord Jesus, you have involved man in the carrying of yourCross. You have invited us to share your sufferings.

Simon of Cyrene is like us and he teaches us to accept theCross that we encounter on the paths of life.

Following your example, Lord, we too carry the Cross ofsuffering and illness today, but we accept it because you arewith us. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be

5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 24

6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 25

6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Lord Jesus, it is your face that we seek. Veronica reminds usthat you are present in every person who suffers and goesforward along his or her path to Golgotha.

Lord, grant that we may find you in the poor, in the least ofyour brethren, in order to wipe away the tears of those whoweep, to take care of those who suffer and to support thosewho are weak. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, & Glory be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 26

4th Church: Our Lady of the Pillar, The Imus Cathedral, Imus, Cavite, Manila.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 27

4th Church: Our Lady of the Pillar, The Imus Cathedral, Imus, Cavite, Manila.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 28

4th Church: Our Lady of the Pillar, The Imus Cathedral, Imus, Cavite, Manila.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 29

7th Station: Jesus falls for the second time

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 30

7th Station: Jesus falls for the second timeLord Jesus, in your second fall, we recognize so many of our situations fromwhich there seems to be no way of escape.

Among them are those that derive from prejudice and hatred, which harden ourhearts and lead to religious conflicts.

Enlighten our minds so that they recognize despite "human and religiousdifferences," that "a ray of truth shines on all men and women” called to walktogether with respect for religious freedom towards the truth that is in Godalone.

Thus, the different religions can "join one another in service to the commongood and contribute to the development of each person and the building ofsociety“.

Come, Holy Spirit, to console and strengthen Christians, especially those fromthe Middle East, so that, united in Christ, they may be witnesses of youruniversal love in an area torn apart by injustice and conflicts. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 31

8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem who weep for him

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 32

8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem who weep for him

Lord Jesus, by your incarnation from Mary, "Blessed amongwomen“, you raised the dignity of every woman.

With the Incarnation you unified the human race. Lord, may theencounter with you be the desire of our hearts.

Let our path, filled with sufferings, always be a path ofhope, with you and towards you who are the refuge of ourlife and our Salvation. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 33

5th Church: The 1,000 year old Church of Trémolat, France

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 34

5th Church: The 1,000 year old Church of Trémolat, France

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 35

5th Church: The 1,000 year old Church of Trémolat, France

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 36

9th Station: Jesus falls for the third time under the weight of the Cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 37

Lord Jesus, the Church, born from your open side, isoppressed under the Cross of the divisions that distanceChristians from one another and from the unity that youwilled for them; they turn away from your desire "that theymay all be one" as the Father is with you.

This cross bears down with all its weight on their lives andon their common testimony. grant us, Lord, the wisdom andthe humility to rise once more and to move forward along thepath of unity, in truth and love, without succumbing to thetemptation to have recourse merely to the criteria of personalor sectarian interests, in the face of our divisions.

Grant that we may renounce the mentality of division, "lestthe Cross of Christ be emptied of its power" Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be

9th Station: Jesus falls for the third time under the weight of the Cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 38

10th Station: Jesus is stripped of his clothes

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 39

O Jesus, Son of Man, who were stripped so as to reveal tous the new creation raised from the dead, tear in us the veilthat separates us from God and weave in us your divinepresence.

Grant us to conquer fear before the events of life that strip usand leave us naked, and to put on the new man of ourBaptism, in order that we may announce the GoodNews, proclaiming that you are the only true God who guideshistory. Amen.

Recite Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

10th Station: Jesus is stripped of his clothes

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 40

6th Church: The Cathedral, Basilica of Notre Dame, Montréal, Québec

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 41

6th Church: The Cathedral, Basilica of Notre Dame, Montréal, Québec

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 42

6th Church: The Cathedral, Basilica of Notre Dame, Montréal, Québec

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 43

11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 44

11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the crossLord Jesus, you were crucified for our sins. You pray to Godthe Father and you intercede for humanity.Each hammer blow echoes like a beat of your immolated heart.How beautiful upon the mount of Calvary are the feet of the Onewho proclaims the Good News of salvation. Your love, Jesus,has filled the universe.Your pierced hands are our refuge in distress. They embraceus whenever the abyss of sin threatens us, and in yourwounds we find healing and forgiveness.O Jesus, we pray to you for all those young people who areovercome by hopelessness, for young people who are thevictims of drugs, of sects and of perversions. Free them fromtheir enslavement. May they lift up their gaze and acceptLove. May they find happiness in you; save them, ourSaviour. Amen.Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 45

12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 46

12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross

May every one of us be able to cry out: "Yesterday I was crucified with Christ,today I am glorified with him.

Yesterday I died with him, today I live with him. Yesterday I was buried withhim. Today I have risen with him." In the darkness of our nights, wecontemplate you.

Teach us to turn towards the Most High, your heavenly Father. Today, let uspray that all those who promote abortion may become aware that love can onlybe a source of life.

Let us think also of those who defend euthanasia and those whoencourage techniques and procedures which endanger human life.

Open their hearts to know you in the truth and to work for the building of thecivilization of life and love. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 47

7th Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site; The PrimateCathedral of the Americas, The Basilica of Santa María laMénor, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 48

7th Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site; The Primate Cathedralof the Americas, The Basilica of Santa María la Ménor, SantoDomingo, Dominican Republic.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 49

7th Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site; The PrimateCathedral of the Americas, The Basilica of Santa María la Ménor,Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 50

13th Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 51

13th Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross

Let us pray for the victims of the wars and of theviolence which in our days devastate various countries in theMiddle East, as well as other parts of the world.

Let us pray that the displaced and the forced migrants maysoon return to their homes and lands.

Grant, Lord, that the blood of innocent victims may be the seedof a new East, ever more fraternal, peaceful and just, and thatthis East may recover the splendour of its vocation as thecradle of civilization and of spiritual and human values.

Star of the East, show us the coming of the Dawn! Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 52

14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 53

14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

Lord Jesus, make us children of the light who do not fear thedarkness.

We pray to you today for all those who search for meaning inlife and for all those who have lost hope, that they may havefaith in your victory over sin and death. Amen.

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 54

In closing, please say:The Apostle’s Creed, One “Our Father”,One “Hail Mary”, andOne “Glory be to the Father”

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 55

We hope you enjoyed the 2015 edition of Visita Iglesia. We alsohave both Tagalog and Hiligaynon editions of the devotionsavailable for you.

If you have some suggestions or recommendations on how wecan improve this service for you please feel free to send yourideas along to me personally at:

fergus@historicphilippines.com

13 March 2015 Creative Commons License: Attribution, Non-Commercial, No-Derivatives, 4.0 International License 56

Thank YouFrancis Dimzon, a Professor at the Universityof Philippines, Visayas at Miagao. He is alanguage and IT expert; and has provided uswith the translations into the Pilipino (Tagalog)& Ilonggo (Hiligaynon) languages of our VisitaIglesia project. Francis we appreciate yourinvaluable help.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Candles, Jaro, Iloilo City for the prayers, in Hiligaynon, related to the Stations of the Way of the Cross.

and a very warm thank you especially for you for taking thetime to visit with us.