But before everything transpired into reality, this was just a dream coming true. That feeling when you saw your friends' posts on social media that they had visited seven different churches with their entire family for a day. It was soul-fulfilling to think, and I could not do anything but envy them. But then, I tried wishing that one day, I could make it with family.
And yes, it was on Maundy Thursday when I opened it up to my mother and sister. With God's full ears, he considered my last-day wish. They were also interested in doing so. My sister fully nodded to my request that we do the church visitation. I could not thank God more for giving me this chance since I am not yet allowed to go to other places alone while riding the motorcycle. Though my mother refused to go with us in the last hour due to another errand to consider, I was and still feel blessed about the visitation of seven churches in a day.
With our jacket on and bottled water ready for the hot ride, we were blessed with a safe travel transitioning from the first church destination to the last one. Along with me is my sister's family and my boyfriend. We rode for about 60 kilometers, exploring three municipalities with three children with us, riding under the scorching heat of the sun, all for the heart and soul's goal-love of the Lord. Here are the seven churches we visited with its corresponding pages for you to check out if you've never been to the place.
1. Virgen de los Remedios of Odlot, Bogo, City, Cebu
(Photo grabbed from this link https://pintakasiph.wordpress.com/2017/12/19/nuestra-senora-de-los-remedios-de-odlot-cebus-lady-of-numerous-miracles/)
2. Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Lapaz, Bogo, City, Cebu
3. Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Shrine, Bogo City, Cebu
4. Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer, Bogo City, Cebu
We visited this church again because answered prayers have been made here as well, with the experienced family self-service prayer of the Station of the Cross. With the grace and help of St. Vincent Ferrer, this is also my one-municipality-away-accessible church from home in any intentions and gratefulness.
After hours of traveling, our stomachs were already craving food and water to satisfy the hunger and thirst. We had brought a lunchbox full of rice, but we were having a hard time looking for a carenderia selling viand. Good thing after a drag drive from Bogo to San Remegio, we spotted an accommodating viand vendor with foods of reasonable taste and price along the road. After minutes of waiting, we directly went to our next destination.
5. San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church, San Remegio, Cebu
This was my second visitation of the church and the second luckiest day of my life. First was the day of my bestfriend's wedding ceremony. Second was my second official confession day. I was so amazed how great God is because a week before the day, my aunt invited me to be with her, but she did not show up. So, I lost hope and neglected it, hoping I would be forgiven by my "yes" answer. So, yes, I really had the second chance and I am so grateful about the time to confess my sins to the Cardinal.
6. Capelinha De Fatima Replica, San Remegio, Cebu
In my sixth pilgrimage, we also encountered another best bestfriend with her boyfriend. It was such a good encounter after so many months of being busy at work. We had a quick, heartfelt exchange of life's conversations.
And of course, we could not leave the day undocumented with our first visit of the Holy place with my sister's family...
In our last church visitation, I was already run out of good pictures because there were lots of people already doing the ceremony and the nephews had been so clingy with every matter already. So I had to pick this Holy picture from the parish's official post.
7. St. Martin De Porres Parish, Tabogon, Cebu
The chance to make this day happen will hold a special place in my heart. I am beyond grateful a million times to the Almighty Father for the successful pilgrimage to seven churches, gifted to me this year.
How about you, my dear readers? What are you thankful for during the latest Lenten season?