Cagayan de Oro Visita Iglesia 2016

This is our second year in the tradition. Just like last year, we did the visitation without the kids. The weather was too hot with city temperature ranges from 32 to 34 degrees Celsius. Umbrella, hat, sunblock lotion is a must to protect ourselves from sun exposure.

Except for the 3 major churches we visited last year, this time we went to four other churches found in the city that we skipped in last year’s Visita Iglesia. We started a little late yesterday at 10AM, since hubby just came home from his graveyard shift and we need to complete the visitation as early as possible, for hubby still had another graveyard shift later.

Still using the Visita Iglesia Guide, Reflections and Prayers booklet that we got last year, we’re off to our Cagayan de Oro City Visita Iglesia 2016.

Church No. 1, The Sanctuario Eucaristico – Sacred Heart Parish, located at RN Pelaez St., Kauswagan

The Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist

Gospel: Mt. 26:26-30

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Reflection

The Lord gave us the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, for us to remember Him and his ultimate sacrifice, to share us with the food of eternal life, so that we will no longer go hungry or thirsty.

Let us always thank the Lord for this heavenly gift that we receive everyday: the food that sustains and nourishes our soul; the food that will continue to carry us to a life with the Father.  

Said the prayers and proceeded to the Second Church.

Church No. 2, The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, located at JV Seriña St., Carmen

The Washing of the Feet

Gospel: Jn 13:4-10, 12-15

4 So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10 Jesus

answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Reflection

The act of washing of the feet in Jesus time is a duty of a slave, but Jesus showed as humility, humility in service. That we should follow Jesus, by serving others, our neighbors with humility, with humbleness, that when we do this not only there will be joy and happiness in our hearts but we glorify God and will receive heavenly reward.

Said the prayers and proceeded to the Third Church.

Church No. 3, The St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, located at N. Capistrano and Fernandez Streets

The Priestly Prayer of Jesus

Gospel: Jn 13:1, 3-6, 8-9, 11, 14-15, 17

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Reflection

For us to gain true happiness and glory, Jesus offered himself for us, he chose to have the sufferings and death to save us. Instead of asking to be saved, Jesus prayed to his Father to accept us and the Holy Spirit to protect us.

Let us accept and concede that Jesus saved us. With unfaltering faith, we should always acknowledge his eternal presence, his presence through the Blessed Sacrament.

Said the prayers and proceeded to the Fourth Church.

Church No. 4, The Sr. Jesus Nazareno Parish Church, located at Claro M. Recto Avenue

The Agony of Jesue in the Garden of Gethsemane

Gospel: Lk 22:39-44

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Reflection

We are reminded to always pray. Pray for guidance and protection, pray when we make great decisions. To parallel our plans, our decisions, and to take a road hand in hand with the Father. Let God be our refuge and consolation in every trial and temptation in life. Let us thank Him for the Blessed Sacrament that reminds us to pray to the Father.      

Said the prayers and proceeded to the Fifth Church.

Church No. 5, The Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church, located at Hayes St., Camaman-an

“So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?”

Gospel: Mt 26:40-41

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Reflection

Some of us including myself are guilty of not giving even an hour of our time for the Lord.  We tend to prioritize other things than spending time with God. Let us be reminded to not forget our weekly dates with the Lord, our duty and obligation to serve God through Sunday Mass.

Said the prayers and proceeded to the Sixth Church.

Church No. 6, The Carmelite Monastery Chapel, located at Seminary Hill, Camaman-an

His Disciples Fled and Abandoned Him

Gospel: Mk 14:45-50

45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

Reflection

There are times we are like Jesus’ apostles who pledged to follow and be faithful with him, yet when in times of troubles, trials and challenges we run away from God. We abandon Jesus, we abandon God. Let us always remain and continue to be faithful with God, we should not flee just because we in experiencing an ordeal.

Said the prayers and proceeded to the Seventh Church.

Church No. 7, The San Lorenzo Ruiz Filipino-Chinese Community Church, Megaheights, Gusa

Jesus in Front of the Sanhedrin

Gospel: Mk 14:60-64

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 63 The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64 "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Reflection

Even though Jesus was accused, slandered and condemned to death, still Jesus has showed loved and patience and forgiveness to the enemy, to us, to the whole world. Let us always follow Jesus and walk is the same road to life everlasting.

The Visita Iglesia is one way for us to reflect and be closer to God, to join Jesus in his sufferings, to pray and be with Him in his last moments on earth.

At 1:45PM we are done with the Visita Iglesia 2016, and we promised to continue our tradition next year and the years to come.