Holy Thursday

MANILA, Philippines – An online itinerary marks the start of the Holy Week break on Rappler.

The first stop-over we recommend is a virtual Visita Iglesia for Holy Thursday, April 5, which is traditionally the day Filipino Catholics tour churches across different localities to do the Stations of the Cross.

Designed for those who cannot leave their homes for various reasons, the virtual Visita Iglesia comes as a multimedia package bringing visitors to the following Philippine churches:  

• San Carlos Borromeo Church, Mahatao, Batanes

• Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Baclayon, Bohol

• Santa Monica Church, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

• Santa Maria Church, Ilocos Sur

• Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Maragondon, Cavite

• St Catherine Church, Carcar, Cebu

• Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Barasoain, Malolos, Bulacan

• Immaculate Conception Church, Balayan, Batangas

• St Michael the Archangel Church, Tayabas, Quezon

• San Isidro Labrador Church, Lazi, Siquijor

• San Ildefonso Church, Tanay, Rizal

• San Juan Bautista Church, Tabaco, Albay

• San Pedro de Alcantara Church, Pakil, Laguna

• St Anne’s Church, Molo, Iloilo

Readings by Paterno Esmaquel II are accompanied by music from the Jesuit Music Ministry’s Vespers album series. Others less inclined may just wish to explore the interiors of 14 churches, photos of which were taken by Fung Yu. Another option is to dwell on the stained glass images taken by Hubert Pacheco while listening to the music or the readings.

For another virtual stop-over, a music video highlights the day’s theme of love and generosity. Courtesy of Jesuit Communications Foundation Inc (Jescom), Rappler features “Pagsibol,” written and composed by Fr Arnel Aquino, SJ, and performed by Rey Malipot.

Jescom executive director Fr Nono Alfonso, SJ, provides points for reflection based on the theme.

“You and I are here, alive, because this mysterious thing called love drew our parents together, or their ancestors before them. The Christian faith asserts, the reason why we exist and why we continue to live is love: God is overflowing love,” Alfonso writes.

The inspirational website Daily Om invites readers to remain generous even “when we ourselves are feeling poor.”

“Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity. Giving is an act of gratitude. Plant the seeds of generosity through your acts of giving, and you will grow the fruits of abundance for yourself and those around you,” the Daily Om counsels.

For those who want to attend Holy Thursday rites but cannot be physically present, Rappler also livestreams 2 Catholic Masses with the help of TV Maria and Quiapo Church – the renewal of vows of Manila priests at 6 am, Manila time, and the Washing of the Feet ritual at 5 pm.

Take the path that suits you best this Holy Thursday. – Rappler.com