7 old churches as pilgrimage sites in Bataan

BALANGA City, Bataan – Seven old churches that were built 214 to 427 years ago and declared as pilgrimage sites are here in Bataan. All these churches were constructed under the control and ministration of the Dominicans. These are located in the towns of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar and Orion and the City of Balanga.

Although all of the churches underwent various renovations, common major materials were sturdy big bricks locally known as “batong silyar”. These concrete items are very evident on the walls of the churches.

The seven churches are popular sites for “Visita Iglesia”, a religious activity during the Lenten Season. Busloads of Catholics from various areas come and visit these religious structures.

The Church of Abucay is the oldest in Bataan and one of the first built in the country, being 427 years old. Sto. Domingo de Guzman is the patron saint. Orion church (Saint Michael de Arcanghel) is 348 years, Orani (Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario) – 305 years, Balanga (Saint Joseph) – 301 years, Hermosa (Saint Peter de Varona) – 259 years and Pilar (Virgen Milagrosa del Pilar) at 214 years.

The Church of Samal, second oldest church in Bataan, houses an Image of Saint Catherine of Siena, its patron saint, estimated at more than 400 years old and images of Jesus and other saints. These images have attracted pilgrims coming from various provinces and cities during the Holy Week.

The original images of Saint Catherine of Siena and the Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario are believed to have been brought by the Dominicans to Samal in 1596. The Virgen Milagrosa was later transferred to the Church of Orani. The hands and face of the image are still intact and unscathed but its body is deteriorating and to protect it, it was brought to the second floor of the church separate from the images of Jesus Christ and other saints at the ground floor.