Visita Iglesia

On Maundy Thursday, we were up early and were in church for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 830 am. There was already quite a number of people lined-up waiting for their turn to confess when we sat down.

The line before us became shorter as some people opted to join the general absolution instead. Jerry, Matt, Kyle and I remained seated, since we preferred to have a personal session with the priest.

Some took a long time to finish, while some were quick. The four of us had our sins listed on individual sheets of paper to save on time. It helped shorten the waiting time of those who went after us, I'm sure. I think it just took each of us 5 minutes tops or even less.

Kyle went first, followed by Matthew, then Jerry, and I was last. In the car, I was amused to hear that the priest asked Kyle his name, where he studied and eventually asked his permission if he (the priest) could keep his list of sins. Hehehe...

We said our penances and took turns reciting the Stations of the Cross. By 10:00 am, we were back home to prepare for the major activity for the day - the Visita Iglesia.

It was the first time my family (party of 5) embarked on a 10-hr road trip to the South of Cebu to see its centuries-old churches. We brought a huge cooler of ice and ice-cold water plus bags of chips. Jake was with us too, so we made sure we also had enough of his supplies - milk, diapers, wet tissues, water, and extra shirts. We even had his favorite pillows which he usually bites when he's about to doze off.

On the way to the South of Cebu***, we passed the coastal highway. Amazing views of the sea, the nearby Negros province and Sumilon island greeted us. The weather was very cooperative and the blue skies gave us the perfect canvas to the picturesque coastline that lay before us.

The lunch pit-stop was at the coastal town of Ronda where we heartily devoured our Jollibee bangus bellies. Then chased it with our mineral water. Jake, who was initially asleep when we stopped to park under a tree, woke up to ask for rice and to feast on his macaroni soup.

On the drive back home, we under-estimated the time and thought we'd be able to cover at least 7 churches. However, when it became apparent that we wouldn't get back to the city before nightfall, we just contented ourselves with six.

Since I'm not too good with descriptions... I am posting the 6 churches we covered for our visita iglesia 2006.

A blessed Easter to everyone!

Redemptorist

Carcar

Ronda

Alegria

Ginatilan

Boljoon - since 1599. This was the last church we saw right before sunset.

*** Our Southern Cebu route:  Cebu City, Pardo, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, crossed Barili to pass along the coastal provinces of Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Madridejos, Alegria, Ginatilan, Samboan, Santander (Southernmost tip of Cebu), back to the city via Boljoon, Alcoy, Dalaguete, Argao, Sibonga, Carcar, San Fernando, Naga, Minglanilla, Talisay, Pardo and Cebu City...