MANILA, Jan. 8, 2013—Around 112 leaders of Chiro Pilipinas, a youth group founded by the Immaculate Heart of Mary missionaries (CICM/ICM), held their national pilgrimage in various parishes and shrines in the Archdiocese of Cebu last December 27-30.
Held in celebration of the youth group’s 60th anniversary, the pilgrimage aimed to deepen the Chiro leaders’ appreciation and knowledge of Christian and cultural heritage of Cebu, to get familiarized and be inspired by St. Pedro Calungsod and to have a desire to nurture one’s faith and commitment as ministers for the children and the youth.
The pilgrims visited various parishes and shrines in the archdiocese such as the Birhen sa Regla Shrine; Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Danao City; Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Mabolo, Cebu City; San Roque Parish in Valladolid, Carcar; San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in Moalboal; Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Matutinao, Badian; St. Joseph the Carpenter Parish in Sangi, Alegria; San Gregorio Magno Parish in Ginatilan; Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Bato, Samboan; Immaculate Conception Parish in Oslob; Patrocinio de Maria Parish in Boljoon; Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in Argao and the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Carcar City.
The youth leaders, representing over 23 local groups nationwide, also visited the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica Menor de Santo Nino.
Participating groups were from Baguio District and Provincial Groups of North Luzon Region; North and South Manila Districts and Cavite District of South Luzon Region; North, Southeast, and Metro Cebu Districts of Visayas Region; and Mindanao Region.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Bataclan who is also Cebu’s Chiro Chaplain celebrated the closing mass at the Shrine of St. Pedro Calungsod. Fr. Gerry Bouckaert, CICM and Fr. Antonio Tanchoco, CICM, Chiro Pilipinas National Chaplains and Fr. Joseph Larida, Chiro Cebu Spiritual Director, concelebrated the mass.
After the send-off mass, Chiro Pilipinas also launched their year-theme and watchwords for 2013 which is “Let’s Actifaith!” with the scripture text “So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead (James 2:26)”. (Jandel Posion/CBCPNews)
