Seven of Manila’s lesser-known churches to visit for Visita Iglesia

by: Jia Bote, Carl Daniel Reyes

Holy Week is one of the most important celebrations for the Catholic faithful in the Philippines, and one of the most common customs is the Visita Iglesia, in which they visit seven or 14 churches during Holy Week, specifically on Maundy Thursday.

In Manila, Catholics do this practice by walking since churches in the city are near to each other. However, some churches are more frequently visited by thousands of urban pilgrims and tourists – like the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and Quiapo Church, to name a few.

Here are seven lesser-known churches in Manila worth visiting for Visita Iglesia if you want to dodge the crowds during Holy Week.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo (1912 Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila)

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The Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo is one of the churches found along Rizal Ave. or Avenida. The shrine, founded in 1932, stands in what used to be a public cemetery, and it was previously under the administration of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). The Archdiocese of Manila elevated its status to an archdiocesan shrine in 2014.

The shrine is very accessible to the public since a lot of jeepney routes pass by the church, such as those that come from Monumento, MCU, Sta. Cruz, Pier 15 South, and Tayuman-Lardizabal. LRT 1’s Tayuman Station is also in front of the church.

San Roque de Manila Parish (Rizal Avenue, Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, Manila)

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A few meters away from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo is the San Roque de Manila Parish. This church is also located at Rizal Ave., in front of the LRT 1 Blumentritt Station. The church was established in 1951.

What makes this church unique is its nave and sanctuary that is located on the second floor of the structure. It is near the Blumentritt Market. Like the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo, the church is also accessible via jeepneys and LRT 1.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro (Calamba St. corner Instruccion St., Sampaloc, Manila)

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One jeepney ride from San Roque de Manila Parish is the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro. The shrine, which is dedicated to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, was established in 1951 and was declared an archdiocesan shrine in 2022. It is currently under renovation.

The church is located at the corner of Calamba St. and Instruccion St. and is reachable via jeepneys en route to Retiro, Dimasalang, and Blumentritt.

Most Holy Trinity Parish (Calabash Road, Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila)

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The Most Holy Trinity Parish is located at the other side of Sampaloc district which is Balic-Balic. It can be found beside its parochial school, Holy Trinity Academy and it is also near Plaza Noli. The church was established in 1932 and its patron is the Banal na Santatlo or Holy Trinity. It celebrates its feast day every Trinity Sunday, which happens after a week after Pentecost Sunday.

Pilgrims can go to the church by riding a tricycle at the corner of Blumentritt St. and España Blvd.

San Roque de Sampaloc Parish (M. de la Fuente St., Sampaloc, Manila)

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Aside from the eponymous church along Avenida, San Roque de Sampaloc Parish is the second of two churches in Manila dedicated to St. Roch, patron saint of sickness, plagues, and dogs. The church, which was previously a chapel, was elevated into a parish in 1987 by the Archdiocese of Manila.

The church can be reached by riding the Tayuman-Lardizabal jeepney route. It is near the Trabajo Market located in between Vicente Cruz St. and M. de la Fuente St.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto (Bustillos St., Sampaloc, Manila)

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The last two churches on this list are known as the twin churches of the Sampaloc District. The first, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, was established in 1613 and was declared an archdiocesan shrine in 2002. Our Lady of Loreto is known to be the patroness of aviation, pilots, and flight attendants. The current structure was completed in 1958.

Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua (Marinque St., Sampaloc, Manila)

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Just beside the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto is the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua. The shrine is under the administration of the Third Order Franciscans. It was originally dedicated to the Nuestra Senora de la Peregrina before it was destroyed during the Battle of Manila. After it was rebuilt, it is now under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. The shrine also houses the relics of St. Anthony of Padua which is venerated every second Tuesday of the month.

To get to the twin churches of Sampaloc, Manila, pilgrims can walk or ride a tricycle from Espana Blvd to the Plaza Figueras where they are located. They can also go there by riding an LRT 2 train bound for Legarda Station. The churches are a few meters’ walk from the station.