7 Churches visitation
The Seven Churches Visitation is a long standing Catholic tradition. On Holy Thursday, at the conclusion of the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the Blessed Sacrament is removed and placed on an Altar of Repose and the faithful remain with Jesus "in the garden." Before he was arrested, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives to pray with his disciples. He withdrew from them for private prayer and when he returned he found them sleeping. "So, you could not stay awake with me one hour?" (Mt. 26:40). Just as the disciples stayed with the Lord, we stay with him (but stay awake!), spending time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Seven Churches Visitation grew out of this time of prayer on Holy Thursday. We do a mindful waiting and watching with the Lord by visiting different churches for Adoration, following the seven places Jesus went from the Last Supper to his Crucifixion.
Below is a pocket guide that was meant to accompany you on a 7 Churches Visitation. You may choose any 7 churches to visit that you want, typically the 7 Churches Visitation will include a visit to the Cathedral of your diocese (if the distance isn't too great). Visit the Diocese of Syracuse's website for links to area parishes to plan your Visitations on Holy Thursday- be sure to call the parishes you've selected ahead of time to check what times they will be open for Adoration and if there is a specific door/location where you should enter.
The Seven Churches Visitation grew out of this time of prayer on Holy Thursday. We do a mindful waiting and watching with the Lord by visiting different churches for Adoration, following the seven places Jesus went from the Last Supper to his Crucifixion.
Below is a pocket guide that was meant to accompany you on a 7 Churches Visitation. You may choose any 7 churches to visit that you want, typically the 7 Churches Visitation will include a visit to the Cathedral of your diocese (if the distance isn't too great). Visit the Diocese of Syracuse's website for links to area parishes to plan your Visitations on Holy Thursday- be sure to call the parishes you've selected ahead of time to check what times they will be open for Adoration and if there is a specific door/location where you should enter.