Hello Yamisweeters!
It's a start of my #ThrowbackThursday series here on my blog. It's all about my stories of not so long "past happenings/photos" I want to share.
And here is my story................
In observance of Lenten Season, together with the #walangumay group we had the Visita Iglesia or the Way of the Cross in ten Catholic Churches in Laguna Province, one in Quezon Province and three in Batangas Province last Maundy Thursday. It was a another great experience for me because it's my first time to do it in different Churches. Originally, I planned my Visita Iglesia at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban Quezon but my husband confirmed to the invitation of our organizer #bokal2016 to hire a van with shared expenses. It was a nice idea because we saved a lot of time and money plus we had a memorable conversation during travel from one town to the other. At 7:30 in the morning we're moving. When I jumped up the van the rest of the group was teasing me because I have a wheat bread and a spread as baon. It's a Visita Iglesia daw not outing. I don't want to get hungry kasi. hehehe! To avoid migraine na rin. I prepared myself because I know it's a long travel.
Here are the photos I got from our 14 station of the cross.
First Station: The Last Suffer at San Sebastian Cathedral, Lipa City Batangas
Second Station: The Agony in Gethsemani at Saint Padre Pio Parish, Sto Tomas Batangas
Third Station: Jesus is condemned to Death at Nuestra Señora Parish, Alaminos Laguna
Fourth Station: Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns at Our Lady of Pilar Parish, Calauan Laguna
Fifth Station: Jesus Carries the Cross at La Resurrection Parish, Victoria Laguna
Sixth Station: Jesus Falls at San Antonio De Padua Parish Pila Laguna
Seventh Station: Simon the Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross at Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Sta Cruz Laguna
Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem at Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe Parish, Pagsanjan Laguna
Ninth Station: Jesus is Stripped of his Garments and Nailed on the Cross at St. Mary Magdalene Parish Magdalena Laguna
Tenth Station: The Forgiven Thief at St. John the Baptist Church Liliw Laguna
Eleventh Station: Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the Foot of the Cross at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Nagcarlan Laguna
Twelfth Station: The Death of Jesus at Saint Paul Cathedral San Pablo City
Note: No photo
Thirteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the Tomb at Saint John the Baptist Parish Tiaong Quezon
Fourteenth Station: The Resurrection of Jesus at San Juan Nepomuceno Church San Juan Batangas
In every station, we read a Holy Gospel, prayed and reflected together. We remembered the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ and reminded us to share more, listen more, care more, love more, be humble, more patience, more perseverance, be responsible, be selfless, be happy, be considerate, be compassionate, be prayerful and be faithful. It's indeed one of the nicest thing we've ever done.
It also became a photography opportunity to me and I was able to use my 10-22mm wide angle lens to the beautiful architecture of the historic Churches.
The Municipality of Pila caught my attention with how they preserved the old houses and used as commercial stores like Mercury Drugs, Seven Eleven and others. I love how the citizen value the history and culture of their town.
Tips for this kind of activity:
1. Hire a van and a driver.
2. Prepare the itinerary.
3. Be strict with the meeting time. Leave your place as early as possible.
4. Bring packed-lunch, water and snacks because finding a restaurant will be difficult.
5. Secure a devotional prayer booklet for the Way of the Cross.(You can buy it on the first church)
6. Meditate and prepare yourself for your purpose.
7. And don't forget to bring along sensible ideas to discuss while on the van to add some thrill and fun. (oh oh! but not gossip ha!)
Take note: My wheat bread and spread saved me. It kept me going and going and going............ parang naka-energizer lang.(lol!)
I hope you like it! 'Til next #throwback! Stay sweet!!!!!
"We adore you, O Christ and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."
