Must-visit churches in the north

To the Catholic faithful, Visita Iglesia is an important religious tradition, especially during the Holy Week.

This is a form of pilgrimage and penance that is usually done days before or until Easter Sunday.

Devotees visit at least 7 churches and reflect with a prayer at each stop.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Visita Iglesia might be a little challenging to do given the current situation.

However, if you are keen on performing this Lenten tradition, here are 5 churches in Cebu province (North specifically) you might want to add to your list of Visita Iglesia must-visit. 

Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer – Bogo City, Cebu

Established as a parish on May 31, 1850, Bogo’s patron saint was San Vicente Ferrer.

Its old church, located near the town plaza, was described as having walls of tabique pampango, posts of wood, and a roof of thatch cogon.

Bogo City celebrates its annual town fiesta every fourth Sunday of May in honor San Vicente Ferrer.

Shrine of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal- Bogo City, Cebu

A place for meditation and reflection.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is located in La Paz, Bogo City, Cebu.

The shrine is situated on top of a hill and one must climb more than a hundred steps of its stairway to reach the giant statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Our Lady of Manaoag- Carmen, Cebu

The Our Lady of Manaoag is located at the St. Benedict Monastery in Carmen.

It is a center for meditation, prayer, and healing.

Each year hundreds of pilgrims visit the place to pray, go to confession, and seek counseling, especially during Holy Week.

St. Peter and Paul Parish Church, Bantayan Island, Cebu

The original church was built under Spanish rule and was used as the first stop for priests entering the country.

Here they would learn the language and culture before being sent out to various parts of the Philippines.

The original church was destroyed in 1600 by Muslim rebels and several times again by natural disasters and raids by Muslim rebels.

Reconstruction on the current church was started in 1839 and completed in 1863. The church is built using corral stones from the island. After completion, the church was dedicated to St Peter and Paul.

St. James the Apostle Parish-Sogod, Cebu

The St. James the Apostle Parish’s simple facade is what remains from its original structure.

At its front is a ruined watchtower or baluarte, testament to its dark past when Muslim slave raiders used to terrorize the seas.

Like the church in its neighboring town of Catmon, the one in Sogod is located at a high promontory that overlooks the sea.