Monday, March 30, 2015

Nine (9) San Jose del Monte Churches for your Visita Iglesia

San Jose del Monte, being very near to Metro Manila, is a perfect place for anyone who wants to do their annual Visita Iglesia tradition. The city can be found just north of Caloocan and Quezon City and easily accessible through Quirino Highway from the south and the North Luzon Expressway from the west (through either Marilao or Bocaue Exit). 

The most famous crowd drawer of San Jose del Monte during Lenten Season is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Barangay Graceville, even though the said church is currently not under the ministration of the Diocese of Malolos. Aside from Grotto, 2 other notable churches are located in the city namely, the historical San Jose del Monte Church and the San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Church. These two plus another six parish churches, which can also be found in the city, comprises the Vicariate of Saint Joseph the Worker under the Diocese of Malolos.

To help people who decided to do their Visita Iglesia in San Jose del Monte, here is a detailed church hopping guide to the 8 parish churches of the city plus the famous Lenten Season destination of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.

The map below shows San Jose del Monte and the locations of the churches in this Visita Iglesia guide. 

San Jose del Monte Visita Iglesia

1. SAN LORENZO RUIZ DE MANILA PARISH CHURCH

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Parish Church 

Church Details: This church is home to the annual Sambuklod Festival of San Jose del Monte. It is an old-looking church though it is just recently built. The first parish priest is Rev. Fr. Mario Jose C. Ladra.

Parish Foundation: 2001, detached from the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle

Location: Pleasant Hills Subdivision, Barangay San Manuel

How to get there: This church will be the starting point of this Visita Iglesia San Jose del Monte Guide. From Cubao, ride a bus going to Tungko, Sapang Palay or Palmera. Tell the conductor to drop you off at Pleasant Hills. When you are already in Pleasant Hills, you may opt to ride tricycle or walk to the church.


2. SAN PEDRO APOSTOL PARISH CHURCH


Simbahan ni San Pedro Apostol (St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church)

Church Details : This church is the home of the St. Peter the Apostle Parish, one of the most active and famous parishes of the Diocese of Malolos. It is also the most populous parish of the City of San Jose del Monte, evident in the multiple masses conducted in the church throughout the week especially during the Lenten Season. Its first parish priest is Rev. Fr. Manuel Manicad.

Parish Foundation : 1994, born out of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Location:  Bocaue-San Jose Rd., Barangay Tungkong Mangga

How to get there: From Pleasant Hills, ride a jeep going to Tungkong Mangga. Any jeep passing through the Quirino Highway from Pleasant Hills will also pass through Tungkong Mangga.


3. MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS PARISH CHURCH

Simbahan ng Kabanal-banalang Puso ni Hesus (Most Scared Heart of Jesus Parish Church)

Church Details: This church is the smallest of all the 8 parish churches. A project to build a larger church in another location was shelved after lack of funds even though the construction of the said larger church was already started. Its first parish priest is Rev. Fr. Ricardo L. Mercado.

Parish Foundation : 2001, detached from St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Location : Brgy. Narra, Francisco Homes

How to get there : From Tungkong Mangga, ride a jeep going to Francisco Homes. The church can be found at the terminal.


4. STO. ROSARIO PARISH CHURCH

Simbahan ng Santissimo Rosario (Most Holy Rosary Parish Church)

Church Details: This is the first parish to be born out of the Spanish-era Parish of San Jose de Obrero. The parish was established to serve the spiritual needs of the people of Sapang Palay and Minuyan, especially those who were relocated from Metro Manila. The first parish priest is Rev. Fr. Pablo Reyes.

Parish Foundation : 1966, from St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Location :  Barangay Minuyan IV, Area A, Sapang Palay

How to get there : Ride a jeep from Francisco Homes to get back to Quirino Highway (the main Highway going to Starmall). When you are already in Quirino Highway, ride a jeep going to either Sampol or Norzagaray. Tell the driver to drop you off at Rd. 1 (where there is a 7-11 outlet). Hire a tricycle from Rd. 1 to bring you to Sto. Rosario Church.


5. CHRIST THE KING PARISH CHURCH

Simbahan ng Kristong Hari (Christ the King Parish Church)

Church Details: A parish established to serve the spiritual needs of the people of the Northwestern Sapang Palay, particularly of the barangays comprising San Rafael. Its first parish priest is Rev. Fr. Von Tetangco.

Parish Foundation: 2005, detached from Sto. Rosario Parish

Location: San Rafael III, Area H, Sapang Palay 

How to get there: Ask the people outside Sto. Rosario Parish Church where you will be able to ride a jeep to Sampol. Go to Sampol and ride a tricycle at a terminal near Jolibee Sapang Palay. Tell the driver to bring you to Christ the King Parish Church. Jeep to Sampol is 10.00, triycle from Sampol is 35.00.


6. SAGRADA FAMILIA PARISH CHURCH

Simbahan ng Banal na Pamilya (Sagrada Familia Parish Church/Holy Family Parish Church)

Church Details: This church is home to the youngest parish of the Vicariate of St. Joseph the Worker, the Sagrada Familia Parish.  

Parish Foundation: 2008, from Sto. Rosario Parish

Location: Sta. Cruz 1, Area D, Sapang Palay

How to get there : From Christ the King Parish Church, you may opt to go back to Sampol and ride a jeep there going to Area E or just tell the tricycle driver to bring you to Sagrada Familia. Tricycle fare is 35. 


7. SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CHURCH

Simbahan ni San Jose de Obrero (St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church)

Church Details : This church is home to the oldest parish of San Jose del Monte, the St. Joseph the Worker Parish. It was established during the Spanish occupation and the 12th oldest parish in the whole Bulacan.

Parish Foundation : 1751, from the St. Francis of Assissi Parish of Meycauayan

Location: Poblacion

How to get there: From Sagrada Familia, ride a jeepney going to San Jose. Alight in front of the church.


8. SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR PARISH CHURCH

Simbahan ni San Isidro Labrador (San Isidro Labrador Parish Church)

Church Details : This parish was established to serve the spiritual needs of the largest barangay of San Jose del Monte in terms of population, Muzon. It was elevated to Quasi Parish in the year 1998. The first parish priest is Rev. Fr. Alejandro Enriquez.

Parish Foundation: 2002, from St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Location: Sarmiento Homes, Barangay Muzon

How to get there: From Poblacion, ride a jeep going to Santa Maria. Tell the driver to drop you off in front of Muzon Church.


9. GROTTO OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Church Details: This is the most famous church in San Jose del Monte. It is being visited by many pilgrims and devotees from all around the Philippines, even after the Diocese of Malolos declared it excommunicated. It was built by a cancer patient who was miraculously healed when she visited the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The late Cardinal Sin celebrated mass here more than two times.

Foundation : 1960's

Location: Brgy. Graceville

How to get there: From Muzon, ride a jeep going to Tungkong Mangga. Alight in front of the Church before reaching Tungko. This will be the last church of your Visita Iglesia. 

A meaningful Visita Iglesia and observance of Lenten Season to all of us!

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this info. This will guide us in our Visita Iglesia.

    ReplyDelete