Thousands of devotees join “Walk with Mary”

CEBU, Philippines — Thousands of devotees of the Virgin Mary gathered even before the break of dawn yesterday, September 8, 2024, in Cebu City to take part in the 39th Annual Walk with Mary in celebration of her birthday.

This year’s annual walk with Mary carries the theme “The Blessed Mother, Our Companion as Pilgrims of Hope” that was spearheaded by the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate-Vincentian Marian Youth Archdiocese of Cebu.

At around 4 a.m, the solemn foot procession started from Asilo de Milagrosa Chapel to Plaza Independencia which covered 2.8 kilometers.

A total of 20 images participated in the procession including three titles of Mary that have impacted the Dogma of the Immaculate Concepcion namely, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion; and Our Lady of Lourdes.

Other images of devotion present were, Salus Populi Romani; Our Lady of Reconciliation; Nuestra Señora de Regla; Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, Patrocinio de Maria Santisima; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart; Nuestra Señora Del Carmen, La Limpia; La Santisima Nina Maria; Immaculate Heart of Mary; Virgen de Alegria; Mater Dolorosa; Nuestra Señora De La Consolacion Y Correa; Our Lady of Fatima; Our Lady, Queen & Empress of China; and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

The carrozas of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu and Patricinio de San Jose de Mandaue also joined the procession – completing all the 20 images that came from parishes and private owners.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu, Most Rev. Midyphil “Dodong” B. Billiones, D.D., led the holy mass and emphasized that Mother Mary represents the concept of “Ephata,” reflecting the Gospel passage from Mark 7:34, where Jesus says "be opened" while healing a man who was deaf and mute.

In his homily, Fr. Billiones said that the best birthday gift to give to Mother Mary is for the people to be open to God.

“When we are open to God, miracles will be unleashed to our families, in our relationships, in our local church and in our communities,” the Auxiliary Bishop added.

In connection to this, the International Director of The Miraculous Medal Apostolate Fr. Rolando Limjoco Jr.,CM also emphasized the mission of the Virgin Mary to bring all the people closer to her son Jesus Christ.

“As we continue this beautiful tradition of the Walk with Mary also as we deepen our love for the Blessed Mother, that we too because the instruments of hope especially those in need,” said the priest.

Additionally, Kent Adrian Gabrillo, media liaison for the CoM-VMY Archdiocesan Council of Cebu, noted that this year also marks the 156th anniversary of the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate-Vincentian Marian Youth in the Archdiocese of Cebu.

To commemorate this milestone, they aim to make this year's annual walk particularly special.

“We are also graced this year because all the four Canonically crowned images of Cebu, the Patricinio, Guadalupe, Regla, and Santo Niño were able to join as one, and it's a very rare occasion,” said Gabrillo. —/ATO (FREEMAN)