Every Good Friday, it has been a family habit to visit fourteen (14) churches- each bethel a stop to a progressive commemoration of the fourteen (14) Stations of the Cross. This year, covered one of our favorite lenten itineraries we reverently call, “South Cebu Church Trail“; offsetting at our annual route’s unalterable first three stops -Nuestra Senyora Birhen de Regla, National Shrine of St. Joseph and Basilica del Santo Niño – respectively situated in the cities of Lapu-lapu, Mandaue and Cebu, then advancing with the Friday drive to Minglanilla down to our last church stop in Boljoon.
The travel path is roughly a 14-hour course, stopping over at each of the fourteen churches – memorializing and meditating on Jesus’ sacrifice, saying prayers of gratitude and wishes and lighting candles for guidance. And right after kindling the candles at each of the churches, we head to the vendor stands right outside the parish’ gate to purchase some local nibbles and refreshments. And yes, you figured it right – we have fourteen (14) real-quick snack breaks, plus two (2) meals every annual pilgrimage. hahaha. Four (4) of my personal favorite munchies from South Cebu are San Fernando’s buko pie, Sibonga’s salbaro, Carcar’s chicharon and Argao’s torta. To add to furor are the exquisite rural landscape, like the acacia coves in San Fernando and Carcar , and Ili Rock in Boljoon (it’s a bit heartbreaking to see Ili Rock’s current plight though). And ultimately, getting to see the fascinating churches of the south and witnessing the firm faith of its people.
Abreast the family bonding and the food trip, the Cebu Church Trail is a worthwhile tradition that I eagerly look forward to every year.
Do you have any lenten traditions? Share it by commenting below! 😉
Read more about our South Cebu Church Trail on Cebu’s Lifestyle Blog, iLuvCebu.com.
To see short videos of the recent trip to the south – how to cook Sibonga’s Salbaro, cotton candy making in Carcar and waves crashing the shores of Boljoon with Ili rock as the background – visit iLuvCebu’s Instagram Account.
South Reclamation Project, Cebu City
Acacia Cove, Carcar City
Church of San Isidro Labrador in San Fernando Cebu
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Carcar City, Cebu
Nuestra Senyora Del Pilar Church in Sibonga, Cebu
Simala, Sibonga Cebu
Simala, Sibonga Cebu
Palawan Blossoms in Sibonga, Cebu
St. Michael the Archangel Church in Argao, Cebu
San Guillermo Parish Church in Dalaguete, Cebu
A view of the quarried Ili Rock in Boljoon, Cebu
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