Roman Catholic devotees around the world practice Visita Iglesia or ‘church visits’ during the Lenten season. In this devotional practice, the faithful visit 7 to 14 churches during the Holy Week, especially on Maundy Thursday, to pray and meditate on the Stations of the Cross as a form of penance.
Aside from reflection, meditation and penance, going on a Visita Iglesia is also an opportunity to rediscover and cherish our religious architectural heritage. Here are seven churches in Legazpi and the neighboring town of Daraga that you can visit for your annual Visita Iglesia.
San Gregorio Magno Cathedral
RIZAL ST., OLD ALBAY DISTRICT, LEGAZPI CITY
Also called the Albay Cathedral, this is the Episcopal Seat of the Diocese of Legazpi. The cathedral started as a lowly wooden chapel built by the early Spanish missionaries in the 1580s. The second world war damaged the original church. The diocese then rebuilt the church in 1951. Today, the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral is the most prominent landmark in the Old Albay District and is the endpoint of one of the grandest Good Friday processions in the region.
Nuestra Señora de la Porteria
STA MARIA HILL, DARAGA
Built in 1773 by Franciscan missionaries, the Nuestra Señora de la Porteria (Our Lady of the Gate church) is perched on Sta. Maria Hill in Daraga town, overlooking the town and a sweeping panoramic view of Mt. Mayon. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the Daraga Church as a National Cultural Treasure in 2008.
St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church
PEÑARANDA ST., LEGAZPI PORT DISTRICT, LEGAZPI CITY
This is the parish church of Legazpi Port District. The original church was built in 1834 but was extensively damaged in the Second World War and has since been rebuilt to its present neo-gothic form. One of the unique attractions of the St. Raphael Church is its altar table made of a single block of solid lava stone from Mt. Mayon.
Our Lady of Fatima Parish
IMELDA ROCES AVE., LEGAZPI CITY
The Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church is a modern church with a semi-circular design built in the late 90s along Imelda Roces Avenue. It is dedicated to the Our Lady of Fatima and is a popular church for weddings.
St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Church
LAPU-LAPU ST., LEGAZPI CITY
This small church located on the busy Lapu-Lapu Street in the central business district is dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus. Devotees pack the church despite its small size especially during the Thursday masses.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
BRGY. BURAGUIS., LEGAZPI CITY
This quaint little chapel overlooks the Legazpi Port District because of its location on top of a small hill. The shrine is unique among churches in Legazpi because of its life-size Stations of the Cross lining the stairs from the bottom of the hill to the chapel on top and a huge statue of the Lady of Guadalupe at the summit.
Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
LAKANDULA DRIVE, GOGON., LEGAZPI CITY
Even though this church and convent located in Gogon, Legazpi is small, it is a perfect place for reflection and meditation because of its quiet and peaceful ambience. It is the home of the devotion to the Lady of Perpetual Help, who is venerated every Wednesday.
Guide Map for Visita Iglesia in Legazpi
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