In observance of Lent, the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (PHS) organized an educational and fun-filled pilgrimage to seven historically rich churches in Laguna last March 25.
The pilgrims visited the following churches: San Policarpio Parish and St. Claire Monastery in Cabuyao, Immaculate Conception Parish in Santa Cruz, San Agustin Parish in Bay, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Los Baños, St. John the Baptist Parish in Calamba, and San Antonio de Padua Parish in Pila. They also dropped by St. John the Baptist Parish or Liliw Church.
“Hindi lang … solemn,” said PHS Public Affairs Ministry head and co-organizer Benedick Lapuz. “This year, parang field trip or educational tour yung [concept],” he added.
Although the pilgrimage is a spiritual journey, the organizers added elements of Filipino history and Catholic pride so that pilgrims not only pray, but also learn and enjoy.
Moreover, the Lenten activity fostered bonding among parishioners, especially in line with the Year of the Parish as communion of communities.
“[The pilgrimage] is a time for camaraderie because we are a community,” Lapuz emphasized.
Parish council secretary and co-organizer Erwin Gabriel attested to the spirit of community by how
the pilgrims were extra-generous to one another. “Wala akong time mag-prepare ng food for the pilgrimage,” he said, “but in the end, busog na busog ako.”
Further, PHS pilgrims met pilgrims from other parishes and greeted them with smiling faces. “[We are] one big community of faithful,” remarked Gabriel.
Meanwhile, the organizers admitted their fear that the pilgrimage might not push through given the recent road crash in Tanay, Rizal. “Sabi nga, when you do works for God, the devil is just an inch away,” said Gabriel. “But at the end of the day, we are watched by the Spirit,” he added.
In fact, three, 50-seater buses were filled. Some 40 pilgrims went as families riding in private cars. On road security, co-organizer Jay Espiritu said, “We made sure that the buses we used were secured.”
Lastly, the organizers are grateful to everyone who joined and helped. They are hopeful that more lay faithful will join next year’s pilgrimage, most likely in Pampanga.
“Sabi nga sa Stations of the Cross, yung suffering talaga [ang] nauuna;” Lapuz said, “but in the end is the resurrection… the glory….”
by:
Rian Fritz D. Jalandoni
