Some things need not necessarily be done during their season. You can visit churches even outside Semana Santa, as a family tour, barkada joyride, honeymoon trip, or what have you.
The Restless Soles went ahead to visit 14 churches in Iloilo and Antique. Undeniably, one of the treasures that Panay Island prides itself is the gift of Catholic faith and tradition which has withstood the test of time, evidenced by the Church structures - some have tried to retain their original edifice; others maintain some little alteration with modern touch; still others have been modernized altogether.
Originally, the practice of visiting seven churches is a Catholic Lenten tradition. Traditionally observed on Maundy Thursday, it could be practiced in any day of the Holy Week. The practice was rooted in visiting the seven churches of Rome which was initiated by Pope Boniface VIII. There are no set of prayers given by the Church except to pray for the intentions of the Pope and recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Some people have instead opted to pray the Stations of the Cross, the recitation of which is liturgically proper to Good Friday.
Perchance, there were various traditions and practices and significant figures that this number seven have been associated with, including:
1.)Seven Scripture passages of Christ's arrest and trial, 2.)The Seven Last Words, 3.)Seven Holy Wounds (five wounds plus the Scourge marks and His injured left shoulder), 4.)Seven first Christian holy sites in Israel, 5.)Seven Deacons of the Twelve Apostles, 6.)Seven ancient basilicas of Rome (Wikipedia)
Built between 1575 and 1580, this church had seen major reconstructions which was completed in 1867. In 1948, its facade and bell tower survived an earthquake which destroyed the rest of the structure. Restored in stages, it was finished in 1994 boasting an interior which has showcased an elaborate collection of religious mosaics entirely made of ceramic tiles pasted on its walls.
2. St. Nicolas of Tolentino Parish Church at Guimbal, Iloilo
Completed between 1769 and 1774, this church was damaged by World War II and the 1948 earthquake. It is made from yellow-colored limestone and powdered coral stones.
3. Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church at Miag-ao, Iloilo
This baroque church was constructed between 1787 to 1797. It was damaged by fire in 1898 and during World War II. In 1993, this church was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
4. San Joaquin Parish Church at San Joaquin, Iloilo
Built between 1859 to 1869, this church bears a triangular upper facade that depicts the Battle of Tetouan, the final battle of the Spanish-Morrocan War, chiselled out of limestone and coral bricks. On top of the facade is the image of Our Lady of Sorrows as if mourning over the stupidity of war. Like most of the churches in Panay Island, it was also damaged by World War II and by the 1948 earthquake.
5. San Jose de Nepomuceno Parish Church at Anini-y, Antique
In Anini-y, Antique stands a church that survived World War II and the 1948 earthquake. Built in 1845, it also survived a series of changes of managements -- from one religious order to another, from the religious clergy to the secular and from the Catholics to the Aglipayans and back to the Catholics again.
6. Santa Barbara Parish Church at Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Built in 1845, this church in was used as military headquarters and hospital for revolutionary soldiers who fought against Spain in the late 1800s. In 1991, it was declared a National Landmark by the National Heritage Institute. It is now in the final stages of repairs supervised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
7. San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church and Jaro Diocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer at Leganes, Iloilo
Made from tabigue and red stones, this church was built between 1869 and 1889. Damaged by a typhoon in 1896, it was reconstructed the next year. Damaged again by the 1948 earthquake, it underwent a slow repair process. Major improvements and reconstructions began only in 1997 and peaked in 2008 when it was declared a diocesan shrine.
8. Santa Monica Parish Church at Pavia, Iloilo
Completed in 1862, this church is the only red brick church inside and out in the entire Panay Island.
9. San Agustin Parish Church at Dumangas, Iloilo
Made from red bricks and sea corals, this church was destroyed by fire during World War II after it was used as a military stronghold. In 1983, it was declared a National Landmark.
10. San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church at Cabatuan, Iloilo
The major facades of this church are made from coral bricks. Built in 1834, it was destroyed during World War II and damaged by the 1948 earthquake. It has two massive bell towers.
11. San Jose Placer Parish Church across Plaza Libertad, Iloilo City
This church was completed in 1885. Its two bell towers, however, were only added in 1893.
12. Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje Parish Church at Lapaz, Iloilo City
Completed in 1870, this church was destroyed during World War II and only the facade survived. It was fully renovated only in the 1990s.
13. St. Anne Parish Church at Molo, Iloilo City
Built in 1831, this church was used as an evecuation center during World War II. It has been necknamed the "Women's Church" for it has a good number of images of women saints. In 1992, it was declared a National Landmark.
14. St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Church, Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral andNational Shrine of Our Lady of Candles at Jaro, Iloilo City
Built in 1864, this church was destroyed by the 1948 earthquake. It was fully restored in 1956.
In the Philippines, the tradition is known as Visita Iglesia. The general practice is to visit seven churches either on Holy Thursday or Good Friday and recite the Stations of the Cross in them. The more pious ones would increase and double the number of churches to visit to fourteen, minding a sense of mortification with the fourteen stations of the cross.
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