Holy Week and Easter
VIRTUAL SEVEN PARISH ADORATION PILGRIMAGE

 

Holy THursday VIRTUAL Seven Parish
Adoration Pilgrimage

At the close of Holy Thursday services, the Blessed Sacrament is processed to the Altar of Repose, awaiting distribution at Good Friday’s Celebration of the Passion of the Lord (no hosts are consecrated at the Friday liturgy). The faithful customarily spend time in silent prayer and adoration before the Altar - but a related devotion is also carried out after Holy Thursday Masses.

The origin of the Seven Churches Visitation is typically credited to St. Philip Neri and is practiced by Catholics around the world. In Rome, following Holy Thursday Masses, pilgrims flock from church to church—continuing a centuries-old tradition of venerating at least seven Altars of Repose. The custom is closely tied to visiting seven major Roman basilicas. At each of the seven stops, a brief meditation is made upon the events of the first Holy Thursday following the Last Supper:

• Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22: 39-46)
• Jesus bound and taken before Annas (John 18: 19-22)
• Jesus taken before the High Priest, Caiaphas (Matthew 26: 63-65)
• Jesus taken before Pilate (John 18, 35-37)
• Jesus taken before Herod (Luke 23: 8-9; 11)
• Jesus taken before Pilate again (Matthew 27: 22-26)
• Jesus given the crown of thorns and led to his crucifixion (Matthew 27: 27-31)

The devotion is practiced outside the Holy City by pilgrims visiting seven local churches on Holy Thursday as unique way to meditate on the Passion as a local community, and encounter how neighboring parishes prepare for and experience Holy Week.

While physically traveling to seven churches this Holy Thursday may not be possible for all, below are links to livestreaming adoration at altars of repose in diocesan churches. In this way, faithful Catholics celebrating Holy Thursday at home may make a virtual pilgrimage as a way to draw deeper into the mystery of the Passion of Christ. Catholics are also welcome to visit these churches in person.