The Tradition

Join in this Lenten tradition to visit seven churches on Holy Thursday - giving you an opportunity to recall the seven stops of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa.

Also known as "Vista Iglesia" (in Philippines), the visitation to seven churches of Holy Thursday dates back to the 16th century, originating in Rome with St. Philip Neri. The pilgrimage encompasses the seven Roman basilicas: St. John Lateran, St. Peter's, St. Mary Major, St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls, St. Sebastian, Santa Croce-in-Jerusalem and St. Lawrence-Outside-the-Walls.

What to Expect

Following the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday evening, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved on an Altar of Repose for Adoration. During the pilgrimage, the faithful visit several churches - sometimes seven, or whatever number is possible - to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church, remembering Our Lord's words to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to keep watch with Him for one hour.

What to do at Each Station

At each church, or station, spend 5-10 minutes in adoration. It is traditional to recite the Tantum Ergo before the Altar of Repose. Also, reflect on each of the seven stops Jesus made before picking up His Cross and heading to Calvary.

1. Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
2. Jesus is bound and taken before Annas
3. Jesus is taken to the High Priest, Caiaphas
4. Jesus is taken to Pilate
5. Jesus is taken to Herod
6. Jesus is taken to Pilate again
7. Jesus is given the crown of thorns and is led away

Participating Churches

Find your home parish below. Following this list in order (or reverse order), regardless of the starting point, will be the most efficient route.

Share with Others

Encourage others to take part in this amazing Lenten Tradition.

• Post one of below linked images below on Social Media
  
• Hang a flyer at you local Parish
• Invite a family to join you
• Take pictures at each Altar of Repose and share them on Social Media using the #WatchAndPraySBM
  

1st Stop

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Luke 22: 39-46

Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test."

After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, sayin, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done."

And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat become like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from sleeping from grief. He said to the, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test."

2nd Stop

Jesus bound and taken before Annas

John 18: 19-24

Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.

Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said."

When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"”

Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"

Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

3rd Stop

Jesus taken before the High Priest Caiaphas

Matthew 26: 57-68

Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death,...The high priest rose and addressed him, "Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?"

But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him in reply, "You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?" They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?"

4th Stop

Jesus taken before Pilate

John 18:28, 33-38

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning, so Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"”

Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."”

Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in him."

5th Stop

Jesus taken before Herod

Luke 23: 8-11

Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.

He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer.

The chief priest and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod and his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate.

Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.

6th Stop

Jesus taken before Pilate again

Luke 23: 13-24

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him."

Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas for us!" (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!"

A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.

7th Stop

Jesus given the crown of thorns and is led away

Matthew 27: 27-31

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.

After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.