Holy week is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. Most of the Catholics participate in church activities like processions, passion of Christ, station of the cross, vigils, prayers, seven last words and more. I grew up attending Good Friday's procession in our province but when I am in Manila I try to do visita iglesia.
The visita iglesia ( church visit ) that I did was with my husband's family. My mother in law usually plans for the itinerary. Our family chose Tagaytay last year, I flew from SG just to spend our first holy week with my husband.
Tip1: We went by car around 12:00pm and during this season the traffic in Tagaytay is bad. Try to reach Tagaytay earlier to avoid traffic.
Tip2: I recommend Tagaytay Country hotel since it's quite affordable and the location is near the churches. For more information you can refer to
http://www.tagaytaycountryhotel.com/ .
Tip3: During holy week the weather is quite cold in Tagaytay specially during evenings but it's manageable.
These are the churches that were included in our itinerary.
1. Divine Word Seminary:
http://www.divinewordseminary.com/
The seminary has a vast piece of land that can accommodate devotees specially during holy week. We attended mass and 7 Last Words here.
2. Pink Sisters Convent in Tagaytay is a part of our yearly pilgrimage as a couple. Whenever we go to the city we always visit this church. It is very peaceful and the ambiance is good for meditation.
Tip4: Please refrain from making noise when inside the church because the nuns dressed in pink are solemly praying.
Tip5: If you have special petitions or prayer requests the convent provides papers and pens for the devotees, just drop the letters in the prayer box.
Outside the gate of the convent are food stalls selling newly harvested vegetables like lettuce, mushrooms, corns and more. Also, some of the stalls are selling native delicacies for the visitors.
Tip5: Don't forget to bring umbrella, hat, shades to protect yourselves from the scorching heat of the sun specially at noon.
Tip6: It's better to park your cars inside the church's parking lot but if you are not early, there are some vacant lots near the church but the owner asks for parking fee.
3.Our Lady of Lourdes : this is not the official website but this can also help to answer basic inquiry.
http://lourdeschurchtagaytay.wordpress.com/
4.
Monte Maria :
http://www.ourladyofmontemaria.org/
During our visit, the church staffs are busy decorating the altar in preparation for Easter but still had the chance to say our prayers. It's quite a long drive from Tagaytay proper but my faith is telling me that it's a blessing to be able to visit the place.
5. St. Mary Magdalene Church's location is near from my husband's maternal relatives residence. We stayed for a while because the mass was already ending and the procession was about to start.
6. Tierra de Maria:
http://mamamary.com.ph/healing-and-hope-with-mary-at-tierra-de-maria/
Tip7: Try Teriyaki Boy's seafood ramen for a soothing lunch and enjoy Taal volcano's view while dining. Also, Robinson's Mall Tagaytay is already open for more resto choices.
Tip8: For a cooler ambiance, People's Park is still open though a little rusty but the view is still worth the climb.
Holy week is a time for reflections, let us not forget our faith and be thankful for everything that we have. In Jesus Name, amen.
