As has been the practice for the past few years, the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman will be organizing the annual 5th Diocesan Walking Pilgrimage on February 26, 2023, to initiate the spiritual preparation for Lent.
This year, the theme for the occasion will be 'Living our mission through participation by being in union with the Holy Trinity'. The Walking Pilgrimage, this year too, will be held at three different levels, namely diocesan, parish and family.
Only those registering with their respective parishes will be allowed to take part in the pilgrimage, which comes with restrictions due to the pandemic.
According to the convenor of the event, Fr Ligorinho D'Costa, the pilgrimage will be held in the following format:
1. Family level: Families are advised to recite the rosary of Our Lady, St Joseph, Divine Mercy and other pious prayers, reflect on Bible passages related to pilgrimage e.g. Journey of Abraham, Our Lady's visit to Elizabeth and the Passion narrative from the Gospel of St John. They have been also advised to read the life of saints.
They have been urged to meditatively pray and reflect on the 14 stations of the Cross, some acts of service, visit the sick, the old and the lonely and, if the situation permits, have a meal together.
2. Parish Level: The Archdiocese has also urged people to prepare for confession. As a ward and community, they have been asked to walk from their houses to the parish with a spirit of penance. While walking, they have been asked, if possible, to recite the rosary and reflect on the life and suffering of Christ.
3. Sancoale (Old Church): Representatives from each parish will walk to the Old Sancoale church. For those who cannot participate physically, the event will be made available by Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, Goa, on the Diocesan Youtube Channel and also on other local TV channels.
Fr Ligorinho informed Gomantak Times digital that those attending the pilgrimage will converge at five different locations at 2 am to start the pilgrimage walk.
The five locations are: Goa Velha petrol pump, Mandur junction, Holy Cross church, Verna, Cansaulim market square and Vasco.
The pilgrimage will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 5 am and Eucharistic celebration at 6 am.
