From the night of Holy Thursday until Good Friday in the morning it is a biblical and Catholic devotion to visit seven churches, a tradition started in Rome by Saint Philip Neri and that has spread throughout the world.

This year there are still some restrictions in some places due to the pandemic, but in the vast majority of countries the faithful can now go to churches and therefore can make this visit.

If it is not possible to go to churches, you can also do prayers at home.

The purpose of the visit to the 7 churches is to thank Jesus Christ for the gift of the Eucharist and the Priesthood that he established that holy night.

The Lord is also accompanied in solitude and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, the affronts he received in the houses of Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate, on Calvary are remembered and he is accompanied in the silence of the tomb.

According to tradition, each church, after the Mass of the Lord's Supper, keeps the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and erects a monument as a sign of thanksgiving to Jesus for his Holy Passion with which he lovingly redeemed the world.

The faithful who visit the monuments are also invited to make a prayer of reparation for the neglect with which they are frequently left in the Tabernacle and the infrequency of Holy Mass and Communion.

Follow this guide and accompany the Lord:

First church: Jesus in the garden

Meditation: It was around 10 at night when Jesus arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane. His soul was filled with sadness, he entered into agony at the sight of the suffering that was coming upon him and the ingratitude of humanity. He prayed for about three hours with tears and blood sweat, whose drops fell to the ground. Here Judas arrived and with a kiss he handed him over to those who came to arrest him, although it was rather his Love for you that handed him over.

Prayer: We pity you Jesus and thank you for what you suffered for our Salvation in the Garden Prayer. We are hurt by the betrayal and treachery with which you were imprisoned. Grant us strength in our sufferings and give us the gift of prayer.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.

Second church: Jesus in Annas' house

Meditation: Jesus, bound as a common criminal, questioned by Annas about his disciples and doctrine, responds with integrity and meekness to ask those who have listened to him and who know well what he has said and taught. A guard gave him a slap that surely made him stagger.

Prayer: Jesus, we pity you; We thank you for the unjust humiliation you suffered when you were slapped. We ask you to help us speak with truth, serenity and education and to respect our interlocutors.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.

Third church: In the house of Caiaphas

Meditation: Here Jesus has to hear how his doctrines are distorted. How false testimony is adduced against him. How he is challenged to proclaim that he is the Son of God, but without the intention of recognizing him. How Pedro denies knowing him. How they declare him sentenced to death.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the truth and lies are piled up to silence you. You have said: “the truth will set them free” but you have to see how lies enslave us. You have said: “you are my friends” and how easily we deny you. In you we are children of God and what poverty is our life. We pity you, Jesus, for these betrayals and we ask you for the grace to be your brave witnesses, faithful to your love.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.

Fourth church: In Pilate's house

Meditation: Jesus is accused before Pilate of being an evildoer, a troublemaker among the people, who forbids paying tribute to Caesar and who proclaims himself king. But He also announces that everyone who is of the truth listens to His voice. What they ask is that he be sentenced to death.

Prayer: Jesus, we proclaim you Christ King, because you are the only King of Truth, Life and Love. We pity you for the sadness that the impudence with which they slander you must give you and for the blindness with which they play with words coming out of your mouth. We ask You to cleanse these lips and these hearts with which we receive You, and that our lives bear witness to You.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.

Fifth church: In Herod's house

Meditation: Herod, curious but uncommitted, is happy to see Jesus. He hopes to have fun watching him perform some miracle. Jesus remains silent before the verbiage with which Herod flatters him. Not having an answer, he despises Him, mocks Him, putting a white robe on Him.

Prayer: Jesus, Wisdom of the Father, now you are silent. Through you the simple and humble have seen the power of God and have celebrated it with great joy. Now you are crestfallen. We thank you for the lesson you teach us, we sympathize with you for the outrage you receive and we ask you for the grace to speak and remain silent in a timely manner.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.

Sixth Church: Again in Pilate's House

Meditation: Pilate recognizes that Jesus is neither a troublemaker nor has he committed any of the crimes they accuse him of. Like he wants to set him free; but he gives in to the pressure of the adversaries who have sworn to put an end to Jesus because he is uncomfortable for them, his behavior and his teachings clash with their interests. Jesus is condemned to death on a cross, scourged, crowned with thorns.

Prayer: Jesus, we pity you for the injustices committed in this process to which you were subjected and in which we put our hands. We pity in you those who, because they are faithful to the truth and to the cause of God in their children, are treated unjustly. We ask you for the grace of divine mercy in the face of our injustices.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.

Seventh church: In the Holy Sepulcher

Meditation: Jesus died on the cross amid unspeakable pain, mockery, contempt and abandonment of God. The Mother and the friends who have accompanied him in these difficult moments have not been able to do anything. Some friends bury him piously. The scriptures have been fulfilled. Now to wait for the third day. He, the powerful in deeds and words, has said that he will rise again.

Prayer: Jesus, we will accompany you in silence these days, waiting for your word to germinate in our hearts and with you we will resurrect new men and women in your Resurrection. Thank you, Father God, you have always listened to your Son and thus, conqueror of his death and ours, you have resurrected him.

3 Our Fathers are prayed.