This Holy Week, Filipinos can still practice Visita Iglesia while on quarantine in their homes by touring historical churches virtually.
Due to the threat of the coronavirus disease and imposed Luzon lockdown, the public has been advised to observe the Holy Week rites and other church activities online.
Most churches have suspended public masses and shifted online to continue religious practices like streaming of Eucharistic mass for the Catholic faithful.
The Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has asked the public to “find the balance between the worthy celebration of the liturgy of the Rites of Holy Week and the call of our health and civil authorities to help stem the rapid transmission of the coronavirus disease.”
Visita Iglesia is a popular sacred vow during Holy Week where the faithful visit at least seven different churches.
As the public won’t be able to personally visit churches during the pandemic, Catholics can still practice Visita Iglesia via a virtual tour. Here are some ways:
1. Google Maps’ Street View feature provides users a 360-degree view of different destinations you want to visit. Just search for the church of your choice and explore a specific area as if you’re actually there.
2.CBCP’s Visita Iglesia in 360” experience which can be viewed at cbcpnews.net/visitaiglesia/visita-iglesia-in-360/ allows visitors to take a 28-minute, 360-degree tour of 14 different Catholic churches in the country, one church for every Station of the Cross.
