‘Journeys’ marks end Year of Faith, BJPII sainthood

MANILA, Philippines - The Year of Faith that Pope Emeritus Benedict declared October of last year will conclude on Nov. 24. In anticipation of this event, Journeys of Faith has lined up a series of pilgrimages to iconic holy sites in the Holy Land and Eastern Europe, including special trips to Rome for the anticipated canonization in October of the Filipinos’ well-loved pontiff, Blessed John Paul II (BJPII).

In the opening of the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict declared that pilgrims obtain an indulgence for every time they visit, in the course of the pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith. This would include participation in a sacred celebration or maintain a period of prayer and pious meditation in minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints. Pilgrimage chaplains always lead the pilgrims to conclude the visitations with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Holy Apostles and patron saints.

Some of the trips planned are Marian Pilgrimages that will visit religious and cultural sites in Italy (San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Rome, Assisi and Pisa), France (Grenoble, Ars, Paray Le Monial, Nevers, Paris, Lisieux, Tours and Lourdes), Spain (Zaragoza, Madrid, Avila, Salamanca) and Portugal (Fatima, Lisbon).

Journeys of Faith also brings pilgrims to enthralling Eastern Europe and Russia. This includes sites in Poland (Warsaw, Lichen, Gidle, Czestochowa, Wieliczka, Auschwitz, Wadowice and Krakow), Slovakia (Bratislava), Hungary (Budapest) and the Czech Republic (Prague, Pribram, Marianske Lazne, Cesky Sternberk, Telc, Cesky Krumlov) and Russia.

Journeys of Faith, likewise, guides pilgrims who would like to follow the Gospel Trail and discover the Holy Land in places where Jesus and his apostles trod such as Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Turkey and Greece.

The best part is pilgrims in these different trips have the unique opportunity to visit Rome and witness the possible canonization of Blessed John Paul II (BJPII) in October. Vatican sources have confirmed that this will take place on Oct. 20 and the official line-up of activities will be announced soon.

So why join a pilgrimage? Jesus himself, as a young boy, embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41). It is said that God hears our petitions more quickly in places of pilgrimage. Others believe that sick persons undertake vows during a pilgrimage that lead them to health or a better disposition. For some pilgrims, it is an occasion to pray more diligently and forget worldly cares for a while. For others, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, it is a way to make a better confession and make amendments in one’s life.

Journeys of Faith may be reached through cell phone numbers 0917-5616440, 0999-9935580, landline 929-0144, 929-0155 or via fax 426-7295 and e-mail [email protected]. Or visit its website at www.journeys.com.ph.