Revisiting Batangan Churches

March 24 - Palm Sunday marks the start of the most important week of the Lenten Season.

Every catholic have their numerous ways of celebrating them. My family, although not that religious, visits 14 churches every Maundy Thursday (March 28).

14 churches symbolizes the 14 stations of the cross. It is the perfect time not only to revisit churches and commemorate the Holy Week, but also to check out and take photos of religious architecture whose ages range from circa 1575 up to year 2000's.

Batangas is one of the most visited place during the Lenten Season because of the numerous pilgrim sites, churches and basilicas. Since my family lives there, the trip around the churches would not cost us much (and it does not consume much time if you know the shorter routes).

Note: I won't be talking much about all of the 14 churches that we have been to. Just some of it.

At Saint James the Greater Parish, Ibaan, Batangas 

First stop is at Saint James the Greater Parish at Ibaan, Batangas. It was the first because of its proximity to our base station (which is home, of course). Photo above shows the date when the church was built.

A view from below. St. James the Greater Parish.

Inside the Church

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church is located at Rosario, Batangas. It is the next town to Ibaan, and is around 20kms away from our first stop.

A giant rosary is lighted up every night which symbolizes their Patron Saint

Most Holy Rosary Parish Church, Padre Garcia, Batangas - our third stop, and the thrird station. What makes this place interesting is that they have life-sized wall carvings of the 14 stations which covers the churches' vicinity.

Most Holy Rosary Parish Church, Padre Garcia, Batangas

One of the recently built churches in Batangas is found at Lipa; the Mary Mediatrix of all Grace Parish Church - built last 2010.

Mother of all Grace illuminated by the sunlight.

Mary Mediatrix of all Grace Parish Church, Lipa City, Batangas

Perhaps, one of the most famous pilgrim sites in Batangas is the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church located in Lipa City. The mysterious rose petal shower and apparition occurred in around 1948.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Lipa City, Batangas

Prayer and Altar near the Apparition Site

The Apparition Site and the original vine where the Blessed Mary appeared.

Next stop is the San Vincente Ferrer Parish Church, which is also located at Lipa City, Batangas. Note that there are colorful banderitas from the top of the church. Its because they celebrate the feast of their Patron Saint every 5th of April.

San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church, Lipa City Batangas

Shrine of Saint Joseph the Patriarch in San Jose, Batangas is located at the heart of the town and is one of the popular pilgrim sites in Batangas. It is also home to the Oblates of Saint Joseph brothers.

Shrine of Saint Joseph the Patriarch

Prayer garden at the back of the Shrine

Back view of the shrine.

On our way to Taal, we passed through San Pascual Baylon Church in San Pascual Batangas, so we might as well add it to the 14 churches to visit.

San Pascual Baylon Church

In around 1575, a church was built in Taal, Batangas and it was named Basilica de San Martin de Tours. Its old architecture captures the heart of not only Catholic devotees, but also people who are interested in knowing the town's rich heritage.

Perhaps the well-known church in Batangas is the Taal Church being the oldest

Relics of the old era remains in one of the
Churches' building

Old capiz windows cover the Parish Priests' office

The Immaculate Conception Parish in Bauan, Batangas is our 11th station. It looks like the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception located in Batangas City. Well, obviously, structures of some churches look like the other churches.

Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Bauan Batangas

To complete the list, we also visited four other churches including Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City, St. Mary Euphrasia Parish Church in Batangas City, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Chapel in Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, and St. Rita de Cascia Parish Church in Batangas City.