This year’s Maundy Thursday was a spiritually fulfilling one. We set out on a Visita Iglesia. We visited a total of 14 churches. There were 10 in Ilocos Norte and 4 in Ilocos Sur. More than a tradition, it was a quiet journey through centuries of faith and history in Northern Luzon.

Christianity reached the Ilocos Region in June 1572, brought by Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo and his Augustinian chaplain Fr. Alonzo de Alvarado, during a northern “pacification” campaign. The first cross was planted atop Ermita Hill in Laoag. This marked the symbolic entry of the Catholic faith. By 1575, with the “pacification” of Vigan, the evangelization of this part of the new Spanish colony became more organized.

The Augustinian friars led the missionary efforts. They established religious centers in towns such as Laoag, Bacarra, San Nicolas, Batac, and Dingras. By the end of Spanish rule in 1898, thirteen mission towns were active in the area. In 1818, the region was formally split into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

We started our Visita Iglesia in Ilocos Norte, covering ten churches:

St. William’s Cathedral of Laoag

St. Andrew Church of Bacarra

San Nicolas de Tolentino Church of Vintar

Santa Monica Church of Sarrat

St. Anne Church of Piddig

St. Joseph Church of Dingras

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Nicolas de Tolentino of San Nicolas

Immaculate Conception Church of Batac

St. Augustine of Hippo Church of Paoay

Minor Basilica of St. John the Baptist and Diocesan Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa of Badoc