A ‘Pilgrimage of Life’
A reaction paper by Mitch Owen Gil G. Ledesma
The author is studying Medical Technology at Colegio San Agustin, Bacolod City (CSA-B).
This year we celebrate the Year of Faith. Because of this we had a ‘Pilgrimage of Life’ on Saturday 1 December 2012. A pilgrimage is a journey of grace, it a spiritual journey of faith towards God. Pope Benedict XVI began his apostolic letter Porta Fidei, announcing the Year of Faith, with these words: The ‘door of faith’ (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church . . . To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime’. The ‘Pilgrimage of Life’ made me ask how strong my faith in God is and what I must do in order to serve Him.
During the pilgrimage we visited many churches here in Negros Occidental and I learned a lot about their history. One example is San Isidro Labrador Church in Binalbagan. I learned that that was where the Augustinian missionaries first planted the seed of Christianity and that San Isidro is the Patron of Laborers, a true model of hard work.
After that we continued travelling and had the chance to share our experiences, opinions and views on how we relate our work to our faith and trust in God. Through that, I realized that in everything we do, we should know why we are doing it. We must always bear in mind that God is the source of all our knowledge, wisdom, skill and talents, so we must work through his grace and for his glory.
We also visited St John the Baptist Church in Ilog, St Paul’s Church in Cauayan and St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Kabankalan.
After visiting the different churches, we travelled to Mag-Aso Falls, Kabankalan City, where we had fellowship that strengthened our bonds with our teachers and fellow students, an experience that was both fun and memorable.
The pilgrimage taught me many things. It made me internalize that there is a God who always guides and watches over us in times when we are troubled and in need. I also learned that God is present to us in the struggles of life, and as we journey on our way to him we share comfort and love with one another. This opens the door of faith to his saving grace.
The ‘Pilgrimage of Life’ not only strengthened my bonds with other people, but most of all, it broadened and strengthened my faith and relationship with our Creator and Heavenly Father.
‘Pilgrimage of Life in the Diocese of Kabankalan’
A reaction paper by Maria Gezell T. Taborada
The author is studying Medical Technology at Colegio San Agustin, Bacolod City (CSA-B).
A pilgrimage is a journey to the door of faith. It is a search of moral and spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person’s belief and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into one’s own beliefs.
When I heard about our department’s ‘Pilgrimage of Life’ I was bothered much. Should I join? What popped into my mind was that if I didn’t I’d attend my NSTP (National Service Training Program) class and perhaps regret not joining. But my apprehension was wrong. The pilgrimage was fun and exciting, the day extremely wonderful and worth it.
I got to explore the beauty of nature here in Negros Occidental and how our Father cares for and loves us. We visited different parish churches where the people welcomed us from their hearts. We had the chance to give them a warm round of applause for serving and sacrificing for our kababayans here in Negros. We learned the history of each church and took a look at how they were built.
I had the chance to bond with my schoolmates and teachers of our department in CSA-B. We were able to capture the beauty our country and how we are as persons, how people take care of things and give more importance to them than perhaps we do. We are so thankful and blessed because of what we have right now, our parents, friends, family, and God.
The most memorable part of our pilgrimage was our visit to Mag-Aso Falls. It was the most extravagant moment that I’ve encountered in my life. It would be fun and exciting to go back there and spend my time with my family and friends.
This is what we call pilgrimage: to refresh our minds together and to be together as a community. I had the chance to explore the Falls, where I was tired after climbing and coming back down the stairs twice. But it was fun.
The pilgrimage helped me a lot to realize how Jesus fulfilled his goals for us. Even though it lasted only one day, for me it was a very long journey that I will never forget through my whole life. And it was a long journey of faith.
This was my first step towards fulfilling my goals in life. And it took me hours to realize that not all people here on earth appreciate and seek the beauty of nature and how they are blessed because they are here. I thank the personnel and the teachers who took charge of the pilgrimage. Thank you very much!