Updates Day One to Eighteen
by Ronald Frio, MMT - Central Committee, Quezon City

 

On its 18th day, Mary's Mission Tour: "Lakarin buong Pilipinas" has proved to be a huge success.

 

It started after a long preparation on October 28, 2016 at Koronadal City, South Cotabato, locally known as Marbel, with an impressive opening ceremonies attended by around 220 pilgrims hailing from different parts of the country, including priests, brothers, sisters and lay faithful. A Solemn High Mass was offered after the welcoming rites of the pilgrim statue at Rizal Park, and then followed by a procession to the gymnasium at Zone 1. Notwithstanding the heavy rain, the procession made it through the gym where a Benediction was given and Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary according to St. Louis Marie de Montfort and St Maximilian Kolbe was done by those pilgrims who had made their 33-day preparations.

 

The next 2 days were spent at the same city where the pilgrims did various mission activities such as catechisms, Marian conferences and enrollments to the Militia Immaculatae (MI). On October 30, Feast of Christ the King, the pilgrim statue was carried in procession to St. Michael’s Chapel, the local SSPX Mission Chapel at Upper Paredez, Koronadal City.

 

Day 4 was spent walking from the city proper to the town of Tupi, also known as the fruit, vegetable and flower basket of South Cotabato. Along the way, several policemen received imposition of the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Towards the afternoon, the pilgrim statue was first received at the Parish Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus at the town proper before heading to the municipal gymnasium where a number of people were enrolled to MI and several were given the Miraculous Medals.

 

'The next day, November 1, All Saints' Day, was spent in Polomolok, South Cotabato. On the road, several persons received brown scapulars. The pilgrim statue was received at the parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes and the pilgrimage headed to Polomolok Central Elementary School where several persons were enrolled to MI after the catechism preached by Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer.

 

On November 2, All Souls' Day, the pilgrimage headed to Forest Lake Cemetery at Apopong, General Santos City where Our Lady was received by 186 people. A Requiem Mass was said around midday after the confessions and rosary prayed recited in the local language. After lunch, the procession headed to Fatima Village Relocation (FVR) Catechism Center for the start of the Mary's Mission. At this day the supply of leaflets and brochures ran out. The pilgrims distributed a total of 2,400 colored flyers and 1,650 MI's Catechism during the 70-km walk from Koronadal City.

 

The following day was spent at the same FVR Catechism Center for the Mary's Mission. 74 people attended the catechism by Fr. Tim. 23 people were enrolled to MI afterwards. Scapulars, miraculous medals and rosaries were also given.

 

November 4, became one of the highlights of this first leg of the pilgrimage as the Vice Mayor of General Santos City Hon. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles, in behalf of the Mayor, knelt in front of Our Lady and, together with some 300 employees of the local government, consecrated the city of General Santos to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Then the Vice Mayor, with some staffs, accompanied Our Lady to the parish church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, where around 200 parishioners were waiting inside. There Fr. Tim preached about the message of Our Lady at Fatima.

 

Then, the pilgrimage headed to the local SSPX Mission Chapel of Rosa Mystica, where Our Lady was placed in a floral grotto at the sanctuary. Fr. Tim consecrated the chapel to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Since it was the first Friday of the month, a Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart was sung followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and closed by a Benediction around 10PM.

 

The next day was a Recollection Day for catechists at the Mission Chapel, as well as the staff and volunteers of the Rosa Mystica Health Mission, construction workers and few patients. This was also followed by enrollments to the MI.

 

November 6, the pilgrimage moved on to Sarangani Province doing the same apostolate while on the road.

 

The next day, another consecration was done. Hon. Corazon S. Grafilo, Mayor of the municipality of Arabel, Sarangani Province in the presence of some 200 local constituents at the municipal gymnasium. Prior to this the Pilgrim Virgin was brought to the parish church of San Isidro Labrador where Fr. Tim preached to some Marian devotees of the parish.

 

After the consecration, Fr. Tim had been busy distributing brown scapulars and hearing confession as people came in throngs until late that night.

 

The next day was spent in the same place giving catechism and distributing brown scapulars. Confession, Mass and Conference were also held in the afternoon, after Fr. Tim came back from General Santos City where he gave conference on the MI at the request of the same Vice Mayor who consecrated the city. 37 officials and staff attended the event and 27 of them were subsequently enrolled in the Militia Immaculatae. At Alabel gymnasium 188 people attended the Mass.

 

November 9 was spent walking from Alabel to Malandag, Sarangani Province under the scorching sun. The pilgrims were received warmly at the camp of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. Rosary and Marian conferences were held for the soldiers, several of them were imposed with the brown scapular.

 

The next day, accompanied by the soldiers, the pilgrimage proceeded to Malungon, Sarangani Province. The Parish Priest of St. Joseph Parish Church along with some 33 local parishioners welcomed Our Lady in their parish church. The Parish Priest knelt before the Pilgrim Virgin consecrating his parish to Her Immaculate Heart. After the consecration he remained, listening as Fr. Tim preached about Fatima and the Militia Immaculatae. The pilgrims were also generously accommodated at the parish hall to stay during the night.

 

November 11 the pilgrims went on their way to Barangay Tagansule of the municipality of Malalag, Davao del Sur. The local barangay captain and some residents welcomed the Pilgrim Virgin and a conference was held there.

 

The next day, 41 local residents attended the Holy Mass. As the pilgrimage went on its way to Digos City, Davao Del Sur, the pilgrims made a short stop at a church dedicated to St. Roch where some 40 persons were waiting for Our Lady's visit. 39 of them were later imposed with the brown scapular. At the Holy Cross School of Sulop 156 persons listened to the conference and were later imposed with the brown scapular.

 

Then, around 5PM, the pilgrims reached San Jose Barangay Hall, Digos City, where some 20 persons, including the local barangay officials, welcomed Our Lady. There were also imposed with the brown scapulars. The people in turn, offer flowers at the foot of the Pilgrim Virgin.

 

On Sunday, November 13, Holy Mass was celebrated in Barangay San Jose, Digos City followed by a catechism.

 

November 14, 2016, 18th day of the Mary's Mission Tour. The pilgrimage continues...

 

 

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