5th Catholic Traditional Pilgrimage

The Latin Mass Society of Davao held its 5th Traditional Pilgrimage last 21st of September 2019. The theme for this event is “Introibo ad altare Dei: ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.” (cf. Psalms 42:4, translated as “And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who gives joy to my youth.”) The theme is inspired by this year’s celebration of the Year of the Youth and to encourage the youth to experience this ancient and sacred tradition of the church.

The registration and starting point was at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Bangkal at 12 o’clock. It is called a sacred walk that will journey to our beautiful churches in Davao: The Ascension of the Lord Parish, San Pablo Parish, and San Pedro Cathedral respectively. One of the highlights on this event is the Missa Solemnis or Solemn High Mass. It is a full ceremonial form of the Traditional Latin Mass, requiring most of the parts of the Mass to be sung and the use of incense. To know more about the event, you can visit Latin Mass Society of Davao Facebook page.

WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?

A pilgrimage is a journey a pilgrim makes to a sacred place for the purpose of venerating it or to ask for heavenly aid, and ultimately to come to know God better. Christian pilgrimages were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Shortly after, pilgrimages started being made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as places where there had been apparitions of the Virgin Mary. In the past, pilgrims would leave their homes, families, and comforts to walk for hundreds of miles with nothing but what they could carry on their backs. Just as the pilgrims from the early centuries, we modern pilgrims also leave our homes, families and comforts in order to journey to sacred places.

SACRIFICE

Along the journey, there are many sacrifices involved. There is suffering, hunger, pain, exhaustion, extreme weather conditions, crowds, etc., just to name a few. All of these involve self-denial in order to obtain the ultimate goal and reach the final destination. Contrasting common misperceptions, suffering is not a punishment that each receives in direct proportion to his own sins but is a result of original sin and is part of the universal human experience, something we all experience in some form. Jesus Christ embraced his cross of suffering and death and so, too, should we embrace these sufferings with joy.

REFLECTION

While journeying, a pilgrim may notice that although they are living entirely in the present, it’s not the present that matters; what matters is the distant goal. The experience one has on a pilgrimage can be fantastic and deeply meaningful, or it can be completely meaningless. It is entirely up to the pilgrim. Extra graces are given to pilgrims who open their hearts to God. Pilgrims are also called to be witnesses for Christ on their journey. As a Christian and a foreign visitor, pilgrims are ambassadors for Christ and the nation of their citizenship.

Source: World Youth Day Website