We’ve done it for a number of years, inviting even non-Catholic friends. For Filipino Catholics, it could be an annual “panata” or a family tradition. Some organizations do it in groups, complete with common T-shirts.

Some walk to seven (or 14!) churches to pray the “via crucis,” while others do it barefoot.

A number of non-Catholics and non-believers also respectfully join, with a focus on church architecture and observing customs. Nothing wrong with that, if done with respect and reverence with believers, or to accompany friends.

Our “visita iglesia” is arguably not unlike going to the seven pilgrim churches and major basilicas of Rome.

Those in the provinces have the privilege of visiting historic old churches.

We did “visita iglesia” one time in Cebu, going from Cebu City down to the south of the province. It was half devotion and half architectural and cultural appreciation, with special thanks to the knowledgable, voluble and friendly Ka Bino Guerrero.

Doing it in Metro Manila is a lot easier because we have lots of churches in this most populated national capital region. Among most beautiful churches are often the cathedrals. We have cathedrals in Manila, Pasig, Parañaque, Cubao, Kalookan, and Novaliches. For its sheer proximity, we have to include Antipolo, a Holy Week favorite for the “alay lakad.”

Everywhere there’s a bishop, there’s a cathedral. It is the bishop’s church because it is where one find the cathedra, the bishop’s chair.

There’s another type of church to be found in big numbers in Metro Manila. These are the minor basilicas chosen by popes for their historic, cultural and religious significance. Only in Metro Manila and Rizal can you do a seven-church “visita iglesia” across seven minor basilicas.

In the city of Manila alone, there are five minor basilicas: San Sebastian Church (the country’s first minor basilica), Manila Cathedral, Quiapo Church, Binondo Church, Sto. Niño de Tondo Church, and Sta. Cruz Church.

You could finish your visita iglesia at Mount Carmel Church in New Manila, and San Pedro Bautista in SFDM, both in Quezon City; St. Anne’s Church in Taguig City; Mary Help of Christians Church in Parañaque; St. Paul of the Cross Church in Marikina; or even St. John the Baptist Church in suburban Taytay, Rizal.

While Antipolo Church is not a basilica, it is a cathedral and also the only international shrine in the Philippines so designated by the pope.

A church worth mentioning because it is special to many is the Perpetual Help Church in Baclaran. Open 24 hours, it is a favorite sacred refuge and place of weekly devotion for people from all walks of life.

We currently have 29 minor basilicas, mostly located in Luzon: Basilica of St. Gregory the Great in Majayjay, Laguna; Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City and the historic Taal Church, both in Batangas; Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Tayabas, Quezon; Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Malolos, and Basilica de Purisima Concepcion in Santa Maria, both in Bulacan; Basilica and National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Orani, Bataan; Basilica of Our Lady of Charity in Agoo, La Union;

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manaoag, and Basilica of St. Dominic Guzman, San Carlos City, both in Pangasinan; Basilica of San Juan Bautista in Badoc, Ilocos Norte; Basilica of St. Nicolas Tolentino in Sinait, and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa Maria, both in Ilocos Sur.; Basilica of Our Lady of Piat in the province of Cagayan; Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur; and Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu in Cebu City.

The 30th minor basilica has been named by the new pope — the Holy Rosary Church of Angeles City, Pampanga — and it will be officially declared in June.

But whether you have a minor basilica near you is not that important. It is merely a reminder of the pope’s special affection for these churches. You can find the same stations, the same devotion, the same religiosity and the same divine encounter you may need in any parish church. Often, the simplicity or rank of a church structure does not really matter. It is what you fervently pray for there, along with many others, that matters.

May our “visita iglesia” this 2026 be a time to see fellow pilgrims, and make us pray not just for ourselves but for one another. We need a lot of it these days.