PLANNING TO do the Visita Iglesia this Holy Week? You might not have to go very far — or spend on gas at all.
The Visita Iglesia, or the seven churches visitation, is a Filipino Catholic tradition where the faithful visit seven churches to pray and reflect before the evening of the Blessed Sacrament.
Observed on Maundy Thursday, the tradition commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples while practicing the institution of the Eucharist and the washing of feet. It also marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, the three days leading to Easter.
In the city of Manila, where churches stand only a few meters apart, one can attain the tradition of walking to each of them while going through both faith and history.
With fuel prices continuing to climb, The Flame gathers 14 churches to visit this Holy Week that are within walking distance from the University of Santo Tomas.
Segment 1: UST-Sampaloc
The first segment covers the area surrounding the University in Sampaloc that is accessible via jeepneys to Lardizabal and Tayuman.
1. Santísimo Rosario Parish
The first church on this list lies inside the University of Santo Tomas.
The parish was completed on Nov. 13, 1932, and was canonically erected in 1942 to serve communities that were displaced during World War II.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – UST Plaza Mayor, Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, 7:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 6 a.m.; Seven Last Words (livestream), 12 p.m.; Veneration of the Cross, 3:30 p.m.; Procession, 5 p.m.
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Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil Mass, 10 p.m.; Salubong procession, after the Vigil
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Easter Sunday – Masses: 6 a.m.; 7 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 4 p.m.; 05:30 p.m.; 7 p.m.
2. San Roque de Sampaloc Parish
Established in 1951, the San Roque de Sampaloc parish was created to serve the growing population of Sampaloc.
It is located along M. Dela Fuente in Sampaloc, a familiar stretch to most Thomasians, and is about a 27-minute walk from UST.
The parish is dedicated to St. Roch, a saint for protection from illness.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet, 4 p.m.; Vigil of the Altar of Repose, 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
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Good Friday – Seven Last Words, 12 p.m.; Novena to the Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 5:15 p.m.; Procession of the Burial of Sto. Entierro, 5 p.m.
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Black Saturday – Easter Vigil, 8 p.m.; Encuentro/Salubong (following the Vigil)
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Easter Sunday – Regular Sunday Mass schedule: 6 a.m.; 7:30 a.m.; 9 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 3:30 p.m.; 5 p.m.; 6:15 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.
Segment 2: North of UST
From the north of the University, these churches are accessible via Lacson Avenue, corner Dapitan Street. It is near SM San Lazaro and LRT – 1 Tayuman Station.
3. Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo
Just north from campus past SM San Lazaro sits the shrine in Rizal Avenue alongside LRT – 1 Tayuman Station. It is a 30-minute walk from UST.
Established in 1926 and completed in 1932, the parish was declared an archdiocesan shrine by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in 2014.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 4:30 p.m.; Eucharistic Adoration, after Mass until 12 a.m.
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 9 a.m.; Seven Last Words, 12 p.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Santo Entierro
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Black Saturday – Tenebrae, 7:30 a.m.; Easter Vigil, 07:30 p.m.; Salubong, after the Vigil
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Easter Sunday – 6 a.m.; 7:30 a.m.; 9 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.
4. Immaculate Conception Parish in Tayuman
The northernmost stop on this guide lies in Tondo, within Tayuman Street. It is a 35-minute walk from UST.
Established in 1951, the church serves one of the largest parish communities in the area. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper 5:30 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration after Mass until 12 a.m.
Segment 3: UST-South
Heading south of the University, this segment passes through the Legarda, Bustillos and Mendiola area. It is also accessible through tricycles in España Boulevard and resides near LRT 2 – Legarda Station for those who prefer to commute.
5. St. Anthony of Padua Shrine
Just a short 15-minute walk from the south of UST, the shrine sits on Bustillos Street of Sampaloc.
The shrine traces its origins to 1794, when Franciscans established a chapel beside the nearby Loreto Church — together, the two are referred to as the “twin churches” of Sampaloc.
Its present structure was completed in 1947, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, and declared a national shrine in 2019.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – 5 p.m.
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Good Friday – Via Crucis, 8 a.m.; Seven Last Words, 12 p.m.; Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m.
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Easter Sunday – Easter Vigil, 8 p.m.
6. National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Loreto
Standing right beside St. Anthony of Padua, Loreto Church is the older of the two twin churches.
Founded by Franciscan friars in 1613, the Romanesque-style structure was completed in 1958 after being destroyed during World War II.
The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto and was elevated to a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in 2025.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 5 p.m.; Eucharistic Adoration, after Mass until 12 a.m.; Agape, 7 p.m.; Confessions, 7 p.m.– 12 a.m.
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 11:30 a.m.; Seven Last Words, 1 p.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Santo Entierro Procession, 5 p.m.; Evening procession, 9:30 p.m.
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Black Saturday – Morning Prayer (Tenebrae), 8 a.m.; Evening Prayer, 7 p.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m.
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Easter Sunday – Salubong, 3:30 a.m.; Easter Mass (Dawn), 4:30 a.m.; Masses: 6:15 a.m.; 7:30 a.m.; 8:45 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 11:15 a.m.; 3 p.m.; 4 p.m.; 5 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 7 p.m.; 8 p.m.
7. Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat
Heading further south past Legarda and into Mendiola Street, the abbey sits within the San Beda University campus and is a 21-minute walk from UST.
It was founded by the Order of Saint Benedict in 1895 and was consecrated in 1926 with a Neo-Gothic exterior and a Neo-Baroque interior.
It is dedicated to Our Lady of Montserrat and serves as the abbey church of San Beda University.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Readings and Morning Prayer, 6:30 a.m.; Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m.; Vigil before the Altar of Repose, after Mass
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Good Friday – Readings and Morning Prayer, 6:30 a.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 6 p.m.
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Holy Saturday – Readings and Morning Prayer, 6:30 a.m.; Evening Prayer, 5 p.m.; Easter Vigil, 10 p.m.
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Easter Sunday – Conventual Mass, 10:30 a.m.; Solemn Evening Prayer, 6 p.m.
8. National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus
After a short walk from the Benedictine Abbey, Catholics may head to the National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus, which has a different look from its older neighbors due to its modern architectural design.
Established in 1954 and consecrated in 1960, the church has a distance of almost 30 minutes from UST by foot.
It is dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus — patron saint of desperate cases — and was declared a national shrine in 2010.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Mid-morning prayer, 11 a.m.; Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Washing of the Feet, 5:30 p.m.; Vigil and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Confessions, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 07:00 a.m.; Mid-morning prayer, 10 a.m.; Reflections on the Seven Last Words, 12:30 p.m.; Novena to the Divine Mercy, 2:30 p.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion with Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m.; Confessions, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Black Saturday – Novena to the Divine Mercy, 7:30 p.m.; Easter Vigil Mass, 8 p.m.; Salubong, after the Vigil
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Easter Sunday – Masses: 6:30 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 4 p.m.; 5 p.m.; 6 p.m.
9. National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels
At the southernmost stop of this segment lies the National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels, located near Malacañang Palace. Along Jose Laurel Street, it is about 33 minutes by foot from UST.
Originally founded in 1603 and rebuilt in 1913 for the Filipino-Chinese community, the church features Baroque architectural elements.
Dedicated to the three archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In 1986, it was declared a national shrine.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 5 p.m.
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 7 a.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Santo Entierro Procession, 5 p.m.
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Holy Saturday – Morning Prayer, 7 a.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m.; Salubong, 10 p.m.
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Easter Sunday – Masses: 7 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 4 p.m.; 6 p.m.
Segment 4: Quiapo-Binondo
Historical churches fall under this segment and are accessible by jeepneys bound for Quiapo or via LRT – 1 Carriedo Station. It is also near busy commercial streets such as Hidalgo Street, Plaza Miranda and Binondo.
10. Minor Basilica of San Sebastian
From campus, the walk to San Sebastian Church takes you through Bilibid Viejo and along Hidalgo Street in Quiapo. It may take you about 20 minutes by foot when you come from UST.
Completed in 1891 by the Augustinian Recollects, it is the only all-steel church in the Philippines and an example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Dedicated to St. Sebastian and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The minor basilica status was conferred by Pope Leo XIII in 1890.
The church is part of the Traslación route, where the “dungaw” tradition, a brief meeting of the images of Jesus Nazareno and the Virgin, takes place.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – 5 p.m. Mass Last Supper and Washing of the Feet,
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 6:30 a.m.; Procession of Our Lady of Solitude, 9 p.m.
11. Chapel of the Holy Face of Jesus
This one is easy to miss if you are not looking for it — it sits right beside San Sebastian along Hidalgo Street in Quiapo and is about a 21-minute walk from UST.
The convent of the Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus manages the chapel. It is dedicated to the Holy Face devotion associated with the Shroud of Turin.
12. Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno
The Quiapo Church, the center of the annual Feast of the Jesus Nazareno every Jan. 9, sits at Quiapo about 24 minutes away from UST.
Originally founded in 1588 by a Franciscan friar, Antonio de Nombella, the present structure was completed in 1935 based on the design of National Artist Juan Nakpil.
It was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1987 and declared a national shrine by the CBCP in 2024.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 5 p.m.; Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 7 p.m.
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Good Friday – Procession of the Black Nazarene, 12 a.m.; Morning Prayer, 8 a.m.; Seven Last Words, 12 p.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Holy Burial Procession, 4 p.m.
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Holy Saturday – Silent Procession, 7 a.m.; Morning Prayer, 8 a.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m.; Salubong, after the Vigil
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Easter Sunday – Masses: hourly from 5 a.m. – 11 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 4 p.m.; 5 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 7 p.m.
13. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (Santa Cruz ParishPh
About a 26-minute walk from UST, this church sits west of Quiapo Church near LRT-1 Carriedo Station, making it easy to reach when you are already in the area.
Originally established in the 17th century and rebuilt in 1957, the church features Mission Revival and Baroque architectural elements.
It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar and was declared an archdiocesan shrine in 2018 and elevated to a minor basilica in 2025 by the late Pope Francis.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Confession, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 5 p.m.; Vigil, until 12 a.m.
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Good Friday – Confession, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Liturgy of the Hours, 9 a.m.; Seven Last Words, 12 p.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Holy Burial Procession, after the liturgy
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Holy Saturday – Liturgy of the Hours, 9 a.m.; Easter Vigil, 7 p.m.; Salubong, after the Vigil
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Easter Sunday – Masses: 6 a.m.; 7 a.m.; 8:15 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 12 p.m.; 1 p.m.; 3:15 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.; 5:45 p.m.
14. Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church)
The farthest church on this segment stops at Binondo, one of the world’s oldest Chinatown, at about 35 minutes from UST.
Founded in 1596, the Binondo Church was completed in 1852 and reflects Baroque architecture with Chinese influences. It is dedicated to St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.
The church was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1992 and was also declared a national shrine by the CBCP in 2024.
Lenten schedule:
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Maundy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 5 p.m.; Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose; Eucharistic Adoration, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
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Good Friday – Stations of the Cross, 7 a.m.; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3 p.m.; Veneration of the Cross; Santo Entierro Procession
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Holy Saturday – Blessing of the New Fire, 8 p.m.; Easter Vigil; Salubong procession
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Easter Sunday – Masses: 8:30 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.; 5 p.m.
Walking through these routes turns Visita Iglesia into more than a tradition; it becomes a journey across Manila’s churches, streets, and shared histories of faith.
Each stop offers a different space for reflection, where devotion does not begin only inside the church but also on the paths between them. F
