7 Must-Visit Churches in Manila for Visita Iglesia + Mass Schedules

What are the must-visit churches in Manila for Visita Iglesia this holy week?

Visita Iglesia (or literally, church visit) is a Lenten tradition done by the Roman Catholic faithful primarily to meditate on the Passion of Christ. Traditionally done every Maundy Thursday, it is now practiced in any day within the Holy Week, before Good Friday comes. For this Lenten Season, if you're planning to do your Visita Iglesia within Manila, here are 7 interesting Catholic churches you shouldn't miss and must included in your itinerary. They are relatively near to each other and are all accessible by public transportation.

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Where to go for Visita Iglesia? Check out these notable churches in Manila.

Malate Church in Manila

1. Malate Church

A Baroque-style church facing Rajah Sulayman park and the scenic Manila Bay famous for its breathtaking sunsets. Built by the Augustinian friars, this church is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Remedios ("Our Lady of Remedies") and is considered as one of the oldest churches in Manila outside of Intramuros. It is considered as one of only two church façades in the Philippines with twisted columns, the other being the Church in Daraga, Albay built by the Franciscan missionaries. Malate Church is such a beautiful church in Manila that has a long history of rebuilding and restoration. Include this on your Visita Iglesia in Manila this holy week.

Location: 2000 MH del Pilar, Malate, Manila
Coordinates: 14°34'9"N 120°59'4"E

MALATE CHURCH MASS SCHEDULES

SUNDAY

* 6:00AM
* 7:00AM
* 8:00AM
* 9:00AM
* 12:00NN
* 2:30PM (3rd Sunday Only Cebuano Mass)
* 3:30PM
* 4:30PM
* 5:45PM
* 7:00PM
* 8:00PM

SATURDAY

* 6:00AM
* 7:00AM
* 8:00AM (Children's Mass)
* 6:00PM (Anticipated Mass)

FRIDAY

* 6:00AM
* 7:00AM
* 12:10PM (1st Friday Only)
* (Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus before 6:00PM Mass)
* 6:00PM

MONDAY - THURSDAY

* 6:00AM
* 7:00AM
* 6:00PM

Manila Cathedral in Intramuros Manila

2. Manila Cathedral

A Roman Catholic basilica located in Plaza Roma inside the historic walls of Intramuros Manila. Also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, it serves both as the Prime Basilica of the Philippines and highest seat of Archbishop in the country. The original structure of the church was built in 1581. It was damaged and destroyed several times, and rebuilt. The eighth and current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958. Considered as the Mother of all Churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas of the Philippines, it has as Pipe Organ which is considered by far the biggest pipe organ in the country. The cathedral also serves as the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Manila.

Location: Cabildo corner Beaterio Sts., Intramuros, Manila
Coordinates: 14.5915° N, 120.9736° E
Telephone Numbers: (02) 527-3093 / 527-1796

MANILA CATHEDRAL MASS SCHEDULES

• Mondays to Fridays - 7:30 AM and 12:10 PM
• Saturdays - 7:30 AM ONLY
• Sundays - 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM

San Agustin Church

3. San Agustin Church, Intramuros Manila

Also located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila, San Agustin Church can be found along General Luna Street. It is said to be the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Built in 1589, it is the only Intramuros church that survived the Second World War. This church is a must-visit as it is one of the Four Baroque Churches of the Philippines declared in 1993 in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. It was also named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976. The church was renovated in 2013, with its colorful facade replaced by a sedate stone-colored one.

Location: General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila
Coordinates: 14.5889° N, 120.9753° E
Telephone Numbers: (02) 527-4061

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH MASS SCHEDULES

• Saturday - 7:00 am, 5:30 pm
• Sunday - 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 6:00 pm
• Monday-Friday - 6:30 am, 7:00 am, 5:30 pm

Sta. Cruz Church Manila

4. Sta. Cruz Church

Named after the Holy Cross, this church is dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) whose feast is held every 3rd Sunday of October. The image of the Our Lady of the Pillar was brought to the Philippines from Spain. The parish was established by the Jesuits in the early 1600's for the growing community of Chinese Christian converts in Manila. The church had undergone many repairs and reconstruction. The current church reflecting Baroque influences was completed in the 1950's.

Location: Plaza Sta. Cruz, Manila
Coordinates: 14.5736° N, 121.0047° E

STA. CRUZ CHURCH MASS SCHEDULES

• Saturday - 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 12:15 pm, 1:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:15 pm
• Sunday - 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:15 am, 9:30 am, 10:45 am, 12:00 nn, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:15 pm
• Monday-Friday - 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 12:15 pm, 1:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:15 pm

Binondo Church Manila

5. Binondo Church

Also known as the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. Binondo Church is rich in history as this is where the first Filipino Saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz served as sacristan. Located in front of Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, this church was founded by Dominican priests in 1596 to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity.

Location: Plaza L. Ruiz, Binondo 1006, Manila
Coordinates: 14.6000° N, 120.9744° E

ALSO READ: Binondo Food Trip Guide

BINONDO CHURCH MASS SCHEDULES

• Saturday - 6:00 am, 6:45 am, 7:30 am, 8:15 am, 12:15 pm, 5:30 pm
• Sunday - 5:30 am, 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:15 pm
• Monday-Friday - 6:00 am, 6:45 am, 7:30 am, 8:15 am, 12:15 pm, 5:30 pm

Quiapo Church Manila

6. Quiapo Church

Officially known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church is home to the much venerated image of the Black Nazarene. It is also known canonically as Parish of Saint John the Baptist, or simple Quiapo Church. In 1988, the church was conferred the title Basilica Minor of the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

Location: Quezon Blvd., Quiapo Manila
Coordinates: 14.5988° N, 120.9838° E

QUIAPO CHURCH MASS SCHEDULES

• Saturday - 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, 12:15 NN – 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Sunday - 5:00 AM – 12:15 NN, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Monday-Thursday - 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, 12:15 NN – 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Friday - 4:00 AM – 12:15 NN, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

San Sebastian Church Manila

7. San Sebatian Church

Known as Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, it is the seat of the Parish of San Sebastian and also the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Most noted for its architectural features, it is made from prefabricated steel parts from Belgium and is considered as the only all-steel church or basilica in Asia. The Philippine Government declared the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and was also included on the tentative list for inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Location: Plaza del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila
Coordinates: 14.5994° N, 120.9889° E
Telephone Numbers: (02)734-8931

SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH MASS SCHEDULES

• Saturday - 6:00 am, 6:00 pm (anticipated mass)
• Sunday - 6:00 am, 07:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm
• Monday-Friday - 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 6:00 pm

This list of 7 Churches in Manila can also serve as your guide in planning your Visita Iglesia itinerary this Lenten Season. If you're planning to stay in Manila during holy week, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR TOP-RATED HOTELS IN MANILA.

Hotels in Manila

If you want to stay for a night or two in Manila, you may want to stay at a nearby hotel such as , Ramada Hotel Manila, The Henry Hotel Manila, Amelie Hotel Manila, Orchid Garden Suites Manila, Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel, and New World Manila Bay Hotel. For the affordable hotels, you may check out Red Planet Hotel Ermita, Tambayan Capsule Hostel, BGC Hostel Manila, Go HOtel Otis, and GranPrix Hotel Manila. These hotels in Manila will surely be a good place to stay if you're planning to go on a holiday with your family and friends.

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ALSO READ: Best Hotels in Manila, Philippines

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