Quarantined Faithful Do Virtual ‘Visita Iglesia'

It has been said that this Holy Week is of a kind the world hasn’t seen in decades. Not since the years of the Second World War has it become impossible for most people to observe the usual ceremonies that come with the observance of Christianity’s most sacred week, which starts on April 5, Palm Sunday, and ends on April 12, Easter Sunday.

- Dom Galeon & Leslie Aquino

Since the start of quarantines and lockdowns the world over, religious practices—holy mass and Sunday services—have found an ally in live video streaming.

Yesterday, Maundy Thursday, many Catholics found a way to practice Visita Iglesia, one of Holy Week’s most ancient traditions, live over the internet.

Thanks to Google Maps, a project that started in 2005, the faithful virtually visited seven churches from all over the country in the comfort of their homes—with family over a smart TV, or by themselves on their desktops, laptops, or smartphones.

In the Philippines, some of the classical churches Catholics that were virtually visited on the evening of Maundy Thursday, were San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Daraga Church in Albay, The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion in Manila, St. James The Apostle Parish in Pampanga, Basílica Menor del Santo Niño in Cebu, and San Pedro Cathedral in Davao.

That’s seven churches!