Filipino-Australians hold traditional Pabasa and Visita Iglesia

Members and friends of the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre held the traditional Pabasa.

Pabasa is a Filipino Catholic religious ritual chanting the words from the Pasyon, a narrative book that contains the life of Christ. Pabasa is one of the ways for Catholics to repent for their sins and seek forgiveness from God during the Lenten Season.

The Pabasa was held at the house of Rowena and Nanay Gloria in Noble Park.

Filipinos in Australia also do Visita Iglesia, the act of visiting seven different churches on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. It is one of the most sacred vows of Filipino Catholics. Families travel to visit the churches far from their place, which has become a tradition of bonding for families and friends.

Good Friday at St Brigids Church in Fitzroy North, Victoria was commemorated with the Seven last words of Jesus with the Choir group, then followed by the Station of the Cross at Our Lady of Ta Pinu Shrine at Bacchus Marsh.

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Families and friends then join together for lunch.