A Spiritual Journey Across Batangas Churches On Two Wheels

LIFESTYLE | April 27, 2019

Bisikleta Iglesia 2019 Participants In National Padre Pio Shrine
(Image Source; Out Of Town Blog)
Considering that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation, the Lenten season has been observed by millions of Filipinos to reflect and strengthen their faith through penance and prayer. It recalls the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Rome, and Christians around the world try to replicate the Lord's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. 

One unique tradition practiced during the Holy Week in the Philippines is the Seven Churches Visitation or the Visita Iglesia, an act of piety and a vow to visit seven different churches on the night of Maundy Thursday. In Batangas, there is one spiritual journey that takes devotees and biking enthusiasts across seven churches situated in different parts of the province through their bikes and it is known as the Bisikleta Iglesia. Organized by LIMA Park Hotel since 2013, it is an annual biking event taking place within the Lenten season that was steadily graced by now more than 100 participants in and out of the province.

In this year's edition, the participants have included running priest Fr. Robert Reyes who eventually led the 42-kilometer journey on two wheels and encouraged the bikers during the recitations at the Stations of the Cross to spend more time at the church to offer solemn prayers for the poor and the sick. The journey has included visits to seven different churches, namely: Sto. Niño Parish Church, St. Therese of Child Jesus Parish and Minim Nuns of St. Francis of Paola Parish in Lipa City; the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas; St. John Evangelist Parish Church and Nuestra Señora De La Soledad Parish in Tanauan City; and the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church in Malvar.

Among the main highlights of the pilgrimage tour was the Padre Pio Shrine where thousands of devotees were able to see the "incorrupt heart" relic of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy. Administered by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa, the church is the first in Batangas and Southern Luzon to be designated as a National Shrine by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). It was also one of the venues for the 4th World Apostolic Congress of Mercy which was held in the Philippines on January 16-20, 2017. For LIMA Park Hotel marketing and corporate communications director Rose Landicho, the Archdiocese of Lipa is a virtual showcase of beautiful churches, both old and new, and Bisikleta Iglesia is an excellent vehicle to promote the province, its attractions, its rich culture and its noble heritage.

Next year's LIMA Park Hotel Bisikleta Iglesia will be held on its traditional date which happens to be the day before Palm Sunday and that would be on April 4, 2020 and hosting the said edition will be no less than the Nuestra Señora De La Soledad Parish in Tanauan City. The event registration fee is Php450 per person and the first 100 registrants will receive a commemorative Bisikleta Iglesia shirt and a chance to win various raffle prizes. For more information, visit www.limaparkhotel.com or contact the hotel at (043) 981-1555 or 0917-504-2385.

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