We started off the first two stations at the Sto. Domingo church (or the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) in Quezon Ave. We even got to tour their museum (it was free of charge).
Interiors and facade
Inside the museum. L-R: Priestly vestments, Christ contemplates His impending passion and death; The La Naval
1st Station: The Last Supper
Personal reflection: Lord forgive us for the times we have failed to appreciate your gift of self to us. You remain with us, but we rarely acknowledge that and only turn to you when we are desperate and in need.
2nd Station: The Agony in the Garden
Personal reflection: You were alone O Lord in the garden of Gethsemani, agonizing your impending death. Yet you never fail to comfort us in times of sorrow and despair.
For the next two stations, we visited Sta. Teresita parish in Mayon, Q.C. This church is very special to me, as my patron saint is St. Therese of the Child Jesus. A lot of times during our college days, Daddy A and I would hear mass here. St. Therese has powerfully interceded for me countless times in my life. As gratitude, I named R after her. I shall write more about St. Therese in another post.
Inside Sta. Teresita Parish
Me & R outside with St. Therese of the Child Jesus
3rd Station: Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
Personal reflection: Sorry for the times we were quick to judge others and how easily we fall prey to gossiping.
4th Station: The Scourging and Crowning with Thorns
Personal reflection: You endured unimaginable sufferings and never did complain. Samantalang kami, konting kibot lang sa katawan, a little hardship at work and some minor trials in life, feeling pinabayaan na.
For the next stations, we proceeded to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Retiro, Q.C.
5th Station: Jesus Receives the Cross
Personal reflection: You without sin accepted to carry the cross for our own. Yet when we are given our own crosses to bear, we even question You at times. Sorry Lord.
6th Station: Jesus Falls under the weight of the Cross
Personal reflection: When we stumble and fall, forgive us Lord. And when our brothers and sisters seem unable to carry the burden of their trials, we pray we won't let them down as well.
We then reached UST chapel, another dear church to Daddy A and I. A lot of memories took place here, and of course, this was where we got married. Andami rin tao dito yesterday.
7th Station: Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross of Jesus
Personal reflection: Make us like Simon Lord, who without question, carried the cross for others.
8th Station: Jesus meets the pious women of Jerusalem
Personal reflection: Lord, these women were sincere in their sorrow for you. We pray likewise to be sensitive and empathize enough to help others who are suffering: the poor, the sick, the hopeless.
The next churches we visited were the twin churches in Bustillos: Our Lady of Loreto and St. Anthony of Padua parish. Even Daddy A still doesn't know upto this day why these two churches stand so close together. We were only able to finish two stations here because there were so many people.
Our Lady of Loreto on the left and St. Anthony of Padua on the right
9th Station: Jesus is nailed to the Cross
Personal reflection: Lord grant us the grace to do our duties out of love, even if it should entail pain/suffering that resembles the crucifixion.
10th Station: The Repentant Thief
Personal reflection: Lord we pray for true contrition, like the repentant thief. Hindi ung tuwing Semana Santa lang kami magpapakabait. Also grant us the grace to be forgiving when others have done us wrong.
Our next stop was our beloved Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy. It was surprising to see the pictures of my parents in the bulletin board. They are currently head of the family & life ministry. I really pray Papa gets well soon so he could go back to serving the Lord.
11th Station: Mary and John at the foot of the Cross
Personal reflection: How deep was Mama Mary's agony seeing You suffering. Lord I pray that You continue to bless and protect my children. I could never bear to witness my children in such a painful and heart-breaking state.
12th Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Personal reflection: Father into Your hands we also commend our spirits. May we be faithful to You, all the days of our lives.
We finished the last two stations at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Claret. We even saw our couple friends R and O with their eldest son. Si R naman, eto knock-out sa pagod:
13th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Personal reflection: You are like a precious treasure placed in a chest, as we wait for Your coming.
14th Station: Jesus Rises from the Death
Personal reflection: Your resurrection Lord is a challenge to all of us, to rise from the death of sin to a life of grace.
Thank you Lord for saving us all over again.
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