Children’s Marian Pilgrimage: A Unique Experience

The Holy Father announced that on May 25-26, the first World Children’s Day was celebrated in Rome. The event was graced by the presence of Pope Francis, who joined children from all over the world. The celebration offered children the opportunity to become protagonists through moments of prayer, friendship, and formation. It was also an occasion to put children, who are the present and the future of humanity, back at the center of the world’s attention.

In response to the call of the Holy Father, the San Pedro Cathedral Parish organized a Children’s Marian Pilgrimage to several Marian Parishes. This activity was part of the Flores de Mayo Culmination. The 180 children from different GKKs participated in the activity, which focused on the following:

1. Prayer: For children who are ill, victims of violence, living in poverty, abandoned, neglected, vulnerable to criminal activities, drugs, slavery, abuse, and bullying;
2. Values Formation: Raising awareness about the challenges faced by children worldwide and locally, and discussing concrete actions that can be taken in solidarity with others to create a caring and happy family, community, and society; and
3. Friendship: Nurturing friendships through sharing, forgiveness, patience, courage, creativity, and imagination, without fear and prejudice in the spirit of synodality. These activities helped nurture the children’s minds and hearts, teaching them to cooperate in small ways and practice the values of good stewardship.

The children, along with their chapel catechists, were amazed and excited throughout the pilgrimage. Perhaps they had never experienced anything like this before or had never been to these places. At one of the parishes visited, the children attentively listened to the story of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and events in the life of the Blessed Mother.

The five Marian Parishes included St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary in Buhangin, Immaculate Conception Parish in Mintal, Virgen de los Remedios in Crossing Bayabas, Sto. Rosario Parish in Toril, and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal. Each destination held its significance and offered a unique experience for the children as pilgrims seeking spiritual fulfillment and connection with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This event was organized in collaboration with Formation Sr. In-charge Sr. Mary Isaac M. Federiso, OSB, and Rosalinda C. Jabonillo of the Parish SocCom, San Pedro Cathedral. (Rosalinda Jabonillo | SPC SoCCom)