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The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe was built in 1851.
Image: Aniceto Buenafe
Going on a Visita Iglesia (church visit) is a famous Semana Santa or Holy Week tradition done by Roman Catholics to meditate on the passion of Christ. It is a custom of visiting seven different churches while praying the Stations of the Cross. Traditionally, it is done during Maundy Thursday but is now practiced on any day within Holy Week.
If you’re looking for Visita Iglesia spots in Negros Occidental, check out our list below of churches in Negros Occidental you can visit this Holy Week.
1. San Diego Pro-Cathedral
Where: Silay City
Mass Schedule:
Daily: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 4:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 6:30 PM
The facade of the San Diego Pro-Cathedral
Image: John Rigil Kent Javier
San Diego Pro-Cathedral is the only church in Negros Occidental with a dome. It’s also the only pro-cathedral in the Philippines outside Manila. Its architecture is inspired by churches in Italy designed by Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi.
How to get there: From Bacolod, take a bus or a jeepney to Silay City. Ask to be dropped off at Silay Church beside the National Highway. .
2. San Sebastian Cathedral
Where: Bacolod City
Mass Schedule:
Daily: 7:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 5:15 PM
Sunday: 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 NN, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM
San Sebastian Cathedral lights up before nighttime falls.
Image: Jen Jimenez
San Sebastian Cathedral is a heritage structure built out of coral stone and hardwood. The church is a standout architecture in Bacolod City because of its beautifully illuminated façade.
How to get there: Ride a jeepney and ask to be dropped off at San Sebastian Cathedral. Come early because this is one of the busiest cathedrals during Holy Week.
3. Church of St. Joseph the Worker
Where: Victorias City
The Angry Christ painting by Alfonso Ossorio
Image: Joemel Peraren
The Church of St. Joseph the Worker, famously known as the Church of the Angry Christ, is a unique Visita Iglesia spot for Holy Week because of its painting of Jesus Christ with a fierce expression.
How to get there: From Bacolod, take a bus to Victorias City. Ask to be dropped off at Crossing Victorias. Hail a tricycle and ask to be dropped off at the church located inside the Victorias Milling Company.
4. Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino
Where: Talisay City
Mass Schedule:
Every First Friday: 5:30 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:15 PM
Façade of the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino
Image: Noel Tan
There’s nothing extravagant about the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino, but the story behind the church is worth discovering.
How to get there: From Bacolod, you can take a bus or jeepney o Talisay City. Ask to be dropped off at Jocson. Cross the street and walk straight to the church. It’s best to avoid going there on a Friday when it is the busiest.
5. Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church
Where: La Carlota City
Mass Schedule:
Monday: 5:30 AM
Tuesday: No Mass
Wednesday: 5:30 AM, 5:30 PM
Thursday: 5:30 AM
Friday: 5:30 AM, 5:30 AM and 5:30 PM every First Friday
Saturday: 5:30 AM, 6:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church on a cloudy day
Image: Journeying Sarah
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church was constructed during Spanish. Also known as La Carlota Church, the centuries-old structure features a Romanesque architectural design made of coral stones and red bricks from Silay City.
How to get there: From Bacolod, take a bus to La Carlota City. Ride a tricycle and ask to be dropped off at the church.
6. Vito Church
Where: Sagay City
Mass Schedule:
Friday, Sunday: 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM
Worshippers gather at Vito Church.
Image: Miss Millennial Negros Occidental
Vito Church is believed to be one of the miraculous churches in Negros because it houses the icon of Sr. San Vicente Ferrer. If you want to pray for healing, this Negros Occidental church is an ideal place to go.
How to get there: From Bacolod, take a bus to Sagay City and get off at Crossing Vito. Hail a tricycle and ask to be dropped off at Vito Church.
7. St. Roch Catholic Parish
Where: Municipality of Manapla
The Opera House-inspired church at Manapla
Image: St. Roch Parish Manapla
The St. Roch Catholic Parish is not an old structure but is famously known because it resembles the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
How to get there: FFrom Bacolod, take a bus to Manapla. St. Roch Catholic Parish can be found along the National Highway, directly across the town plaza.
8. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Where: Municipality of Valladolid
Mass Schedule:
Monday: 5:30 AM
Tuesday: 5:30 AM
Wednesday: 5:30 AM
Thursday: 5:30 AM
Friday: 5:30 AM
Saturday: 6:00 AM
Sunday: 5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 5:30 PM
The facade of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Image: Aniceto Buenafe
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Church was built by Recollect missionaries in 1851. It could have been the biggest Church in Negros Occidental if it was not devastated by fire.
How to get there: From Bacolod, take a bus to Valladolid. Ask to be dropped off at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church along Negros South Road.
9. Church of St. Magdalene
Where: Municipality of Hinigaran
Mass Schedule:
Daily: 5:45 AM
Sunday: 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM
The structure of the Church of St. Magdalene dates back more than a century ago.
Image: Legion of Mary
The Church of St. Magdalene is one of the oldest churches in Negros Island. Established in 1881, the church features Romanesque architecture and a three-level belfry on the left side. Beside the church are five bells that are as old as the structure.
How to get there: From Bacolod, take a bus to Hinigiran. Ask to be dropped off at Church of St. Magdalene.
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more exciting spots in Negros!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions wherever you go. For now, keep safe!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on March 13, 2018.
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