Pilgrim places for prayer and pause
Holy Week is a reminder for us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our spirituality. It also presents an opportunity to cherish moments with loved ones while discovering new destinations and relishing the wonders of travel.
Across the country, there are pilgrimage sites that will allow you to commemorate this sacred time. Here are some of them.
Limasawa Island
Leyte
This island is a shrine to commemorate where the first Easter Sunday Mass took place on March 31, 1521, leading to the spread of Christianity across the country. There is a monument of the first cross as well as other murals and visual art pieces that replicate the important event that happened more than 500 years ago. Aside from its significance in history and Christianity, Limasawa is also a breathtaking natural site with its clean beaches, clear waters, and lush forests.
Moriones Festival
Marinduque
Marinduque is known as the Lenten Capital of the Philippines thanks to the iconic Moriones Festival that takes place every year. The festival centers on a theatrical portrayal of Longinus, a Roman soldier who was converted into Christianity. Participants dress in embellished Roman soldier costumes, complete with masks representing the faces of Roman soldiers. The Moriones roam the streets, reenacting the search for Longinus while engaging in playful antics and performances that are interactive with the audience.
Marian Orchard
Balete, Batangas
The Marian Orchard is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its facade is reminiscent of European gardens that feature landscaped grounds and numerous shrines and statues depicting various Marian apparitions and titles. The site offers facilities for prayer and meditation, including chapels, prayer corners, and stations of the cross. Pilgrims and visitors come to the Marian Orchard to pray, reflect, and seek spiritual solace amid the tranquil surroundings.
Betis Church
Guagua, Pampanga
Also known as St. James the Apostle Parish, Betis church stands apart for its Baroque-inspired design, marked by exquisite architecture, intricate wood carvings, and historical significance. Skilled local artisans came together to craft ornate decorations that adorn the church, with the ceiling’s trompe-l’oeil painting as the main highlight. The church has been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines, recognizing its place in the country’s cultural heritage.
Mt. Maculot
Cuenca, Batangas
This beginner-friendly hiking destination becomes a bustling hotspot during Holy Week, drawing visitors with its breathtaking vistas of Taal Lake from the summit. Yet, Mount Maculot holds deeper significance as a pilgrimage site. At the end of the trail lies a revered grotto dedicated to the Lady of Lourdes. Along the ascent, both hikers and pilgrims encounter 14 Stations of the Cross, enriching their journey with spiritual reflection amid the natural splendor.
Good Friday Procession
Baliwag, Bulacan
The Baliwag Good Friday Procession, revered as the grandest in the country, unfolds with over a hundred intricately adorned carrozas parading through the streets, each carrying life-sized wooden statues depicting poignant scenes from the Passion of Christ. This sacred event, upheld by local families who pass the tradition from one generation to the next, embodies a profound sense of devotion and reverence in the community. Over the years, the craftsmanship of these floats has evolved, with some incorporating modern mechanical effects that animate the statues, enhancing the spiritual experience for participants and spectators alike.
