Campus News

UIC Holds Pilgrimage

With the themes, “Remembering the past with gratitude” and “Christ the same yesterday, today and forever”, the Archdiocese of Davao celebrated its 60th Diamond Jubilee. It was a year-long celebration that was launched December 17, 2008 and culminated on that the same date of 2009.

In line with this celebration, the Archdiocese of Davao issued an administrative decree establishing the conditions for the Jubilee Indulgence on the Diamond Jubilee celebration. The conditions for gaining the Jubilee Indulgence are as follows: a pilgrimage to one of the following seven churches – the San Pedro cathedral, Sta. Ana shrine, Our Lady of the Assumption, Sto. Rosario in Toril, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Calinan, Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Bajada, and, the Perpetual Adoration Chapel (Pink Sisters) in Catalunan Grande; praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and one Hail Holy Queen for five times while in the pilgrimage; engaging in the Sacrament of Reconciliation within the jubilee year; attending a Holy Mass offered for the said intention; and an act of charity.

As one of the Catholic institutions in the city, the University of the Immaculate Conception Theology and Campus Ministry offices organized the Holy Crusade of prayers and spiritual treasures of the Diamond Jubilee year. They scheduled a pilgrimage on the seven churches stated in the decree of the Archdiocese of Davao last November 21, 2009 and December 5, 2009. The pilgrimage was actively participated in by members of the University’s religious club organizations namely Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA), Mother Ignacia Youth Missionaries (MIYM), Liturgical Committee (LITCOM), and Youth for Christ (YFC), as well as selected Theology 4 students of Mrs. Jasmin Emia, Ms. Vicky Bantillo, Mrs. Nida Enobio, and Mr. Eugene dela Torre.

The pilgrimage commenced with a para liturgy spearheaded by the campus ministry. A rosary prayer was also offered for the success of the pilgrimage and safety of the pilgrims. The pilgrims started the journey at Sto. Rosario Parish in Toril, continued at the churches of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Calinan, Perpetual Adoration chapel of the Pink Sisters in Catalunan Grande followed by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at San Pedro Cathedral. After which, the pilgrimage continued at Sta. Ana Shrine, Our lady of the Assumption Parish in Torres, and came to a stop at the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Bajada.

Before ending the journey, the pilgrims visited the Religious of the Virgin Mary’s (RVM) Mother Ignacia Healing Center and Retreat House in Langub, Ma-a during which they witnessed the Ignacian way of life. Various intentions were offered in this pilgrimage, namely, those that are for the salvation of all souls, the forgiveness of sins, conversion of sinners and reunion of all Christians. The said pilgrimage was an encounter with the omnipotent and omnipresent God, Almighty.

Let us remember that our focus for this year’s Diamond Jubilee celebration is to remember “Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever”. Furthermore, as said in the Jubilee Hymn, we must, as a church, remember that there are three things that we must do: recall the past with gratitude and praise, with joy and pride the now pursue, in trustful heart rechart our goal.