There is nothing more consoling to a Mother’s Heart than gathering her children together under one roof or in one event. She can look with satisfaction on the fruit of her womb, her children. She can commiserate with their sorrows, uplift then in their difficulties, strengthen the flagging steps of the weak and encourage the strong.
And so for 17 years the annual Pilgrimage of Tradition has strengthened the little flock of the Philippines in their combat for the Faith of their Fathers, under the aegis and guidance of Mary. Her inspiration this year for was inspired by last year’s apostolate which was given whole-heartedly to Fatima: “To the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. It was this theme that animated the preaching and spiritual direction of the Pilgrimage from the19th of April to the 22nd of April 2018.
Each day the Pilgrimage made a Marian procession of some 4–5 hours in a loop visiting historical Churches of Cebu, the cradle of Catholicism in the Philippines. During the stops in most Churches, the 600 plus pilgrims (there were over 700 at meals) filled the pews while a short instruction on the Sacred Heart was given, sometimes to an attentive audience, and sometimes to an audience half-dead from heat and exhaustion. During the entire Marian procession, a few catechists handed out flyers on the movement for Catholic Tradition, on the Scapular and Miraculous medal, while around 1500 Miraculous Medals and 3000 Scapulars were distributed to bystanders.
The day’s Marian Procession ended around 4pm and upon arrival in the Gym of Mabolo National High School, Pilgrims, after having participated in 20 or 3 instructions and prayers in the visited Churches, sang the Vespers of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was followed by a longer instruction on the Sacred Heart which in turn was followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This exercise was offered for the conversion of sinners in the spirit of the Archconfraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary founded by Abbe Desgenettes in 1836. He had used this as a means of uniting in prayer members of the Archconfraternity who were the spearhead of distributing the Miraculous Medal throughout the world.
After the tiring but fruitful spiritual exercises of the day, the evenings were occupied with the Catechism Quizz bowl, the Marian song festival, the Marian Skit festival and a Speech Choir competition. These activities engaging the talents of our pilgrims, were a beautiful expression of mutual charity and provided an excellent opportunity for emulation, not only in the apostolate and in virtue, but also in the exercise of human talent for the healthy enjoyment of one’neighbour.
And finally, at the concluding Sunday Mass of the Pilgrimage, Fr. Karl Stehlin, International Director of the Militia Immaculatae, officiated at the renewal ceremony of 400 Knights, and including the first consecration of another 20 new Knights. The Marian Pilgrimage is truly an event under the direction of Our Lady and the renewal ceremony punctuated this spirit and reinforced the service of the pilgrims, the overwhelming majority of whom were Knights of the Immaculata.
For further spiritual training, the Pilgrimage was followed by 2 post-Pilgrimage Camps and one Marian Retreat. In Cebu 2 camps took place for youthful MIs, Apostles of Mary, Junior Legion of Mary and Legion of Mary members, aged 15–29. 54 young women and 46 young men. In Butuan, Fr. Karl Stehlin preached a Marian Retreat for 31 participants. This means that about 20% of Pilgrimage participants went on to further spiritual training. If we can continue in this ratio every year, or even increase it, the Marian movement for world conquest of souls for Christ will become more and more visible in our own ranks.
Though these things certainly give Our Lady consolation, we can never forget the incredible void that remains to be filled and the urgent need of still deeper training, thirst for divine Justice and holiness and effort in the apostolate. May Our Lady grant all of us ever greater zeal in her service for the Kingdom of Jesus, the fruit of her womb.
Long live the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Long live the Immaculate Heart of Mary!
