Today, October 31, the pilgrims assembled for the Holy Mass at 4:30am.
At
6:30am, immediately after coffee, we started moving out of
Marbel. We headed southeast towards Tupi, South Cotabato. There
were 124 walkers excited to accompany the Pilgrim Virgin: 1
from Manila, 1 from Leyte, 2 from Butuan, 25 from Cagayan de
Oro, 29 from Davao, 26 from Gensan, 4 from Iloilo and 37 from
Marbel-Surallah-Norala. Yes, the great walk has finally begun!
At Barangay Carpenter Hill, there were 10 persons enrolled in
the Brown Scapular. In Barangay Saravia, 60 persons were given
the Brown Scapular. In Barangay Palian, Tupi, eleven policemen
and police officers were enrolled in the Brown Scapular.
Rain gently fell as we reached Barangay Crossing Rubber in Tupi.
It was a nice relief from the hot sun.
We arrived in Poblacion Tupi at 2:45pm. We entered the Parish
Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and knelt down to pray.
The parish priest was not present to welcome the Pilgrim Virgin
but we were happy that he has allowed the Pilgrim Virgin to
enter and bless his parish. Beforehand, the parish priest and
the parish leaders had a meeting to discuss our pilgrimage and
they had decided to grant permission for us to enter and pray in
the church but not to have Mass precisely because we had a
"different Mass". After the prayer, we proceeded to the
municipal gymnasium, arrived there at 3:30pm, then rested.
At 5:00pm, Mary's Mission started. 40 people attended. After
an hour and 40 minutes of preaching, 20 adults registered in the
Militia Immaculatae. Three or four of the new Knights of the
Immaculatae were baptized in Tradition in Marbel or Gensan but
no longer attended the Traditional Mass. Three Mormons were
enrolled in the Miraculous Medal.
We were able to cover 23 kilometers within 8 hours. We camped
in the gym that night. A blessed day. Thanks be to God and to
Mary, our Mother.
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