For the Holy Week, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has made the “pasyon” (chanting of the Lord’s passion) available online trough their “visitaiglesia” website www.visitaiglesia.net.
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, Media Office Director of the CBCP, said the online version of the “pasyon” or “pabasa” is the most highly recommended music by the Catholic Church to the faithful as it helps the faithful better reflect on the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The “Visita Iglesia” website is a multimedia presentation that features 14 shrines and pilgrimage churches corresponding with the 14 Stations of the Cross with reflections given by priests. The website also features catechesis and reflections of the bishops and priests for Lent, Holy Week and Easter as well as the traditional Seven Last Words, and the “Pasyon.”
“Pabasa” is an old, time-tested Holy Week tradition that has remained well-preserved particularly in the provinces. In recent years, the melodies of popular tunes are sometimes used to make the chanting of the Biblical passages sound more interesting, lively, and appealing particularly, to the young.
The CBCP official said the project targets Filipinos abroad and the sick so they may also have the chance to observe Holy Week wherever they are.
