Tena't MagKARAKOL - The Saint Joseph Parish Pilgrimage

Ang Diyos ang simula at hantungan ng ating paglalakbay.

"Panginoon ikaw ang aming gabay."
 

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The Parish of Saint Joseph here in Carmona had its summer pilgrimage or Lakbay Dasal on April 8-9, 2011 with this year’s theme: Tena’t MagKARAKOL (Taon ng Ginintuang Jubileo ng Diyosesis ng Imus) along the whole stretch of Ilocos Region's Church Belt.

One (1) bus and a Van were hired to accommodate parishioners, Father Lito, as well as our parish staff.

This is not my first time to visit all the churches listed in our itinerary, but I can still feel the anticipation of visiting those churches again.

The selected churches visited were constructed centuries ago by the Augustinian and Franciscans friars. These churches withstood the test of times and maintained its original glory. Said churches were:

·        Basilica of Our Lady of Charity

(St. Monica Parish), Agoo La Union

·        Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan

(St. Catherine of Alexanderia Parish), Luna La Union

·        Conversion of St. Augustine Parish

Bantay, Ilocos Sur

·        Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Metropolitan Cathedral

Vigan, Ilocos Sur

·        St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish

Sinait, Ilocos Sur

·        St. William the Hermit Parish Cathedral

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

·        Sta. Monica Parish

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

·        St. Andrewthe apostle Parish

Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

·        St. John the Baptist Parish

Badoc, Ilocos Norte

·        Immaculate Concepcion Parish

Batac, Ilocos Norte

And two (2) of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines that was declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO - Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur and the Parish of Saint Augustine in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Come to think of it, two World Heritage sites in just one trip.

Parish of St. Augustine, Paoay Ilocos Norte (F-1593)

Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur (F-1760)

At the end of the Visita  Iglesia everyone is so dead-beat and sleepy but everyone did enjoyed the trip and went home spiritually uplifted.

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Ang Diyos ang Siyang umalalay sa bawat hakbang natin sa paglalakbay,

nama'y patuloy nating maranasan ang Kanyang pagkalinga.

PHOTOS: 

Parish of Immaculate Concepcion, Batac Ilocos Norte (F-1587)

Parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Sinait Ilocos Sur (F-1591)

Z

Parish of St. William the Hermit Cathedral, Laoag City Ilocos Norte (F-1586)

Parish of  St. John the Baptist, Badoc, Ilocos Norte (F-1714)

Parish of St. Monica, Agoo La Union (F-1578)

Parish of Catherine of Alexandria, Luna La Union (F-1960)

Parish of Conversion of  St. Augustine, Bantay Ilocos Sur (F-1590)

Lakbay Dasal (Prayer Journey)

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THE VISITA IGLESIA is a traditional Filipino custom of visiting seven churches. Such custom is said to originate from the early Christian practice of visiting the seven great basilicas in Rome.

Here in the Parish of Saint Joseph in Carmona, Cavite we called it LAKBAY DASAL or Prayer Journey. This year is the 10th year of Saint Joseph Parish’s Prayer Journey, also commemorating the Year of the Priest and the Year of Two Hearts.

This year, we were able to visit eight (8) of Quezon Province’s Churches. It’s a long and winding road going to our first stop, the Parish of St. Isidore the Farmer in Agdangan, The Church was founded in 1970.

Then the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle in Unisan. The church was founded in 1884 and the Parish of Conversion of St. Paul in Pitogo (founded in 1850).

We have our snacks in between church visits, lunch in Macalelon where the fourth Church is situated, the Parish of Immaculate Concepcion (founded in 1875)

nd then we continue our journey to the Parish of San Diego de Alcala in Gumaca, it is known as the biggest and oldest Catholic Church in the province of Quezon. (founded 1620). And the Parish of Our Lady of the Angel in Atimonan and the Parish of St. Anne in Malicboy, Quezon.

And finally, the Parish of St. Catherine Alexandria in Pitogo, founded in 1850. The journey end with the celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Andy Bagos.

Lovers of Philippine ecclesiastical architecture will truly have an inspiring spiritual experience in Quezon.

Start your journey early so you can complete your Prayer Journey and see the other attractions of the provice.