Visita Iglesia, a Spanish term for "Church Visit", is a

popular Holy Week devotion among Filipino Roman Catholics of

visiting seven or fourteen churches in order to pray and meditate
on the Passion of Jesus Christ. It commences in the late afternoon
or early evening of Holy Thursday until midnight.
This practice which became a tradition was influenced by the
Spaniards who colonized the Philippines for nearly four centuries
and introduced the Roman Catholic faith. It was believed that the
Augustinian friars propagated this devotion. They were inspired
by their fellow Augustinian St. Philip Neri who established a
brotherhood in 1548 to minister the needs of thousands of poor
pilgrims who flock to Rome; and established in 1559 the
visitation of the seven traditional pilgrim churches in Rome as a
form of penance.
Visita Iglesia is based on the first sorrowful mystery, the
Agony in the Garden. After the Last Supper when Jesus Christ
instituted the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Order,
Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray where He felt
sorrow and distress. He asked His apostles Peter, James and John
to remain and keep vigil with Him but they fell asleep three times.
Likewise, in the practice of Visita Iglesia, Jesus is asking the
faithful to remain, keep vigil and accompany Him in His
sufferings.
There is no prescribed prayer for the Visita Iglesia since it
is not essentially a part of the liturgy. Some would accompany
their visit with their personal prayers and the meditation of the
mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Others would pray the Via Crucis
(Stations of the Cross), a tradition taught by the Franciscans, two
stations in one Church. Still, others have expanded the number of
churches into fourteen with one station in each church. It is also
recommended to include the poor and suffering fellowmen in our
intentions.

There is no prescribed number of Churches to be visited

either. Traditionally, it is seven in number which signifies
completeness and perfection while a contemporary and more
penitential fourteen churches can also be practiced. Nevertheless,
the number of churches does not matter because what’s important
is that the faithful prays intently and fervently from the heart.
This practice is very commendable because it makes the
vigil of the reserved Blessed Sacrament inviting and it deepens
the prayer and contemplation on the passion of Christ. It is also a
great way for family members to bond and cultivate in each
member the spirit of prayer and penance.
Here are the Catholic Churches in the province of Zambales
to help you decide which Church to visit this Lenten Season.
1. Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Church
(Matain, Subic, Zambales)

2. Saint James Parish Church (Subic, Zambales)

3. San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church (Castillejos,
Zambales)

4. Carmelite Monastery (Looc, Castillejos, Zambales)

5. Saint Williams Parish Church (San Marcelino,
Zambales)

6. Holy Infant Parish Church (San Antonio, Zambales)

7. San Sebastian Parish Church (San Narciso, Zambales)

8. San Roque Parish Church (San Felipe, Zambales)

9. Sta. Rosa Parish Church (Cabangan, Zambales)

10. Sta. Monica Parish Church (Botolan, Zambales)

11. Ina Poon Bato Shrine (Botolan, Zambales)

12. San Agustin Church (Iba, Zambales)

13. Immaculate Conception Church (Palauig, Zambales)

14. San Andres Parish Church (Masinloc, Zambales)

15. St. Vincent Ferrer Church (Candelaria, Zambales)

16. St. Michael the Archangel Church (Sta. Cruz,

Zambales)