Spend an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament today, in thanksgiving and in intercession for ministers of the Church whom you know - Daily Reflections April 17,2014

VISITA IGLESIA

 

After the solemn liturgy of the Lord’s Supper, people will go around visiting seven churches for the traditional practice called Visita Iglesia. This tradition dates back to the Apostolic Age, when early Christians on pilgrimage in the Holy Land prayed at shrines deemed important to the story of the Passion of Jesus. The visit to the seven sites recalled seven Gospel events: Jesus’ Trial before the High Priest Annas (John 18:12-23); Journey from Annas to the High Priest Caiaphas (Mark 14:53-63); Mock Trial at the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-67); Trial before Pilate (Luke 23:1-5); Trial before Herod (Luke 23:6-12); Sentencing by Pilate (Luke 23:13-25); and Carrying of the Cross to Calvary (John 19:17-18).

       In 313 A.D., pious observants also began to make seven visits within these Roman basilicas: Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, Shrine of Holy Cross of Jerusalem, and St. Sebastian Outside the Walls. In the Great Jubilee Year 2000, Blessed Pope John Paul II replaced St. Sebastian Outside the Walls with the Shrine of the Madonna of Divine Love.

       Visiting seven churches, we recall how Jesus willed that all He had started in His three-year ministry should now form the heritage, patrimony and responsibility of His Church or “Iglesia.” As regards the Law, He has summarized everything in one mandate: “Love one another.” As regards liturgy and worship, Jesus perfects the Old Testament provision: His own flesh and blood He now gives in the Holy Eucharist as the most acceptable offering to the heavenly Father. In contrast with the hereditary priesthood that Moses instituted, Jesus institutes the college of the Twelve as ministers who will now “do this in memory” of Jesus.

       In our Visita Iglesia let us pray not just for our family’s and personal intentions. We pray for the protection, faithfulness and advancement of our Church, the community born from the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: List down the seven churches that you plan to visit with your family today. Spend an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament today, in thanksgiving and in intercession for ministers of the Church whom you know.

 

I lift up to You, Lord, all the priests that have touched my life. I thank You for them.