Holy Week Guide for Visita Iglesia in Pangasinan

Holy Week is the customary time for the Catholic activity known as Visita Iglesia. Reciting the Stations of the Cross, or Pasyon in Filipino, on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday at seven different churches is a tradition for many Christians, and it is up to the individual devout to decide how many churches they visit. It was during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines that the tradition of Visita Iglesia was established.

Individuals' motivations for engaging in Visita Iglesia may vary. Penance, prayers, or thankfulness might all be reasons for doing so. Alternatively, it can be done to express gratitude for requests that have been granted.

In Pangasinan, the majority of the Catholic churches were established during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. In spite of the fact that these churches have been renovated or are in the process of being renovated, the parishes involved are committed to preserving the original architecture. These churches are fascinating because of the unique 'feel' they exude when you enter them.

So let's take a look at some of them and you can also use this as a guide for your Visita Iglesia this coming Holy Week.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church (Mangaldan)

Mangaldan, Pangasinan, home to the historic old town of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church, is one of the province's historic old towns. According to historical records, this was the Dominican missionaries' third parish, and the blessed Fr. Juan Sto. Domingo is credited with its establishment.

As a result, in the early 1600s, St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the Catholic Church's greatest theologians and thinkers, was given patronage over Mangaldan as a new parish to oversee.

In the Archdiocese of Pangasinan, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church became one of the most important parishes in the province. During the year 1942, work began building the present church in Mangaldan, which served as a foundation for the growing faith of the community. There are now renovations being carried out by the Dominican missionaries to improve the parish for worship and contemplation by the residents.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church is located at Rizal Avenue, Mangaldan, 2432, Pangasinan.

Sts. Peter And Paul Parish Church (Calasiao)

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Calasiao, Pangasinan is one of the most loved churches by the Catholic devotees. This is due to the fact that rather than the customary artwork, it shows off its red and brick hue instead of being adorned with the usual flattering paintings on the ceiling. A lengthy carpet greets you to the main altar, which is separated from the rest of the building by an ornate antique wooden door that serves as a focal point. In this Spanish-colonial-era chapel, the latter is the major attraction.

This baroque church was built between the 17th and 19th centuries, although it was really established in 1588. Some small repairs have been conducted over the last several years to lessen the impact of natural disasters and human-caused damage. For some reason, this church has never been completely rebuilt, maintaining its timeless grandeur up to this day.

Because of this, a declaration was made listing Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and its national commission for cultural affairs.

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church is located at Poblacion West, Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Holy Family Parish Church (Sta. Barbara)

Brick walls line the outside of this church, which is flanked by a lengthy monastery; the main altar, meanwhile, is covered with stained glass. This church is situated in the center of the province, Sta. Barbara, and has a peaceful ambiance that is perfect for prayer and meditation.

One of Pangasinan's oldest churches, Holy Family Parish was established in 1588 and was completed in 1716. The church is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

An organization called Guardians of the Family was formed after a terrible storm struck the town in 1887. With its roof destroyed, the parish church needed to be renovated and rebuilt. Additionally, the monastery and its environs were remodeled as part of the project. Additionally, in 2005, the church added two new side altars as well as the new parish office, the new parish hall, the new sacristy, the Our Lady of Manaoag parish grotto, the Garden of the Cross, the Chapel of Devotion, the Rosary Garden, Villa familia, and the choir loft.

The Holy Family Parish Church is located at Marcelino Bautista Street, Santa Barbara, 2419 Pangasinan.

Minor Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Rosary Of Manaoag or Manaoag Church (Manaoag)

The Manaoag Church, also known as the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, is a place of worship in the town of Manaoag in the Province of Pangasinan. It is the most popular tourist site in the country for Catholics from all over the globe. The Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office estimates that 9 million people visited the province in 2018, with 7 million of them being devotees who make a stop at Manaoag Church. The church only has a 16 minutes distance from the TPLEX or Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Binalonan Exit, which made it very accessible by any vehicle.

It was erected in the 17th century and is regarded as a holy site. According to the legend, the Virgin Mary's apparition was seen by a local farmer. An unexploded bomb also landed nearby by the Japanese during World War II failed to damage the ivory statue. Thousands of people go to this location every year because of the miracles that have occurred there. Outside the church structure, visitors may find wishing wells, candlelight, holy water faucets, and relics, all of which can be purchased inside. These items that you can buy from the basilica, as well as your cars, can be blessed after the Holy Mass.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag or Manaoag Church is located at Milo St, Manaoag, Pangasinan.

St. Hyacinth Parish Church (San Jacinto)

On August 17, 1598, Padre Herminigildo Milgar built the town, which was given its name by Pope Clement VIII in honor of Hyacinth of Poland, a Polish saint canonized in 1594.

In 1601, San Jacinto became a municipality, making it one of Pangasinan's oldest settlements.

The catastrophic earthquake that struck in March 1892 severely destroyed the original construction of St. Hyacinth Parish Church. Due to this, the roman catholic church was completely reconstructed from the ground up.

St. Hyacinth Parish Church is located at San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception Parish (Urdaneta)

According to historical documents, the village of Urdaneta takes its name from a priest called Andres de Urdaneta. At the time, the town was still in its infancy, and its population was just beginning to increase. Since its founding in the 17th century, this town has seen an influx of immigrants from nearby provinces such as La Union and Ilocos Sur. After it, a chapel was erected in the same spot.

An early version of the parish church had a single slope roof and a tiny building resembling one of the primitive cottages seen on the island. The Dominicans first recognized it as a parish in 1863. The original church in Urdaneta was constructed in 1884, but it was seriously destroyed by American bombardment during World War II. The remains were later repurposed as a site for the community's new high school, which was built on top of them.

The De Superna Animarum and Non-Raro Catholicorum, two papal bulls published on January 12, 1985, commanded the building of Urdaneta by the Diocese under the guidance of Pope John Paul II. As a result, the Immaculate Conception Parish became the seat of the Diocese of Urdaneta, and is today known as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral is located at Dr. Jose Aruego Street, Urdaneta, 2428 Pangasinan.

St. John The Evangelist Cathedral (Dagupan City)

There is a Roman Catholic archdiocese in the Philippines that includes this Metropolitan Cathedral. It is situated in the city of Dagupan, Pangasinan, and is accessible through public transportation. There are also the Archbishop's House and the St. John's Cathedral School within a short distance from the cathedral. They replaced the original stained glass and added beautiful murals to the high ceiling in 2018 when they refurbished the building.

Schools and institutions in Dagupan City are noted for their high standards. Students from other countries are drawn to the city for this reason. As a result, people from all over the world come to pray and worship at the cathedral, thus it's a good thing that the church service is usually held in English. As a result, the holy liturgy may be enjoyed by both residents and visitors from neighboring provinces, making it accessible to everyone.

St. John the Evangelist Cathedral is located at Burgos St, Downtown District, Dagupan, Pangasinan.

St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish Church (Mapandan)

Mapandan Parish Church, also known as St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish Church, was formed as a parish in 1905, according to its local church's history. Even though the majority of the building's structure was constructed in the 1980s, the original facade was preserved throughout the remodeling so visitors can still have a glimpse of its historical structure and architectural design. Within the municipal limits, visitors can say that the church has an excellent location.

If this is the first time that you visit this parish church, don't forget to make a wish as what the old saying goes and the faithful devotees believe in. Hey, there's no harm in trying.

St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish Church is located at Municipal St, Mapandan, Pangasinan.

St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church (San Carlos City)

Binalatongan's San Carlos Church, also known as St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church, was built in the 18th century and completed in 1773. Reconstruction and renovation have been carried out on the church multiple times after it was damaged by earthquakes and fire. The church was built in the Baroque style, and much of the original brickwork can still be seen within.

Originally called Binalatongan, the town was established in 1578 and given the new name of San Carlos in 1764. January 1, 1966, marked its official incorporation as a city.

St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church is located at Malong St, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

Parish of Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr (San Fabian)

Over the centuries, the Parish of Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr has experienced a number of renovations and expansions. When it was initially renovated in 1856, it had been damaged by fire, which was ignited by an unattended cigarette end tossed upon its nipa roofing. This was the church's last significant repair, which took place in 1955.

San Fabian, Pangasinan is home to the Parish of Saint Fabian, Pope, and Martyr. As a tribute to St. Fabian, a crusading Roman Catholic Pope who ruled for 13 years during the reign of the Roman Emperor Dictus, the church and town have been called.

San Fabian's fine-grained sand beach is only a short walk from the church. If you want to have a short break from Manila's noisy and polluted streets, this tourist attraction in San Fabian is a worthwhile detour that you may want to include in your schedule.

The Parish of Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr is located at Braganza Street, San Fabian, 2433 Pangasinan.

Aside from some great beaches and historical landmarks that tourists will surely enjoy, the Province of Pangasinan is also rich with delicious local delicacies that every visitor must try. Some of them are puto calasiao, pigar pigar, and the Alaminos longganisa.

Visiting the province is also made easier and faster with the recent infrastructures built around the area such as Urdaneta Bypass Road and TPLEX.

You can also conveniently enjoy the culture and places in Pangasinan through Lumina Manaoag which is literally just a few minutes away from the famous church.

You can visit the Lumina Homes' website to know the wide range of home model units that Lumina Manaoag currently offers as well as the other sites that Lumina Homes have all over the country.