Fr. Lawrence Llona
November 26, 2019
Philippines
A pilgrimage epitomizes the journey each of us makes in this life. It is an important aspect in our walk with God. Set aside time to be with Him and His creation. You are invited to join a 4-day Pilgrimage to Ilocos with a Pilgrimage Chaplain leaving on November 26, 2019. May you experience the presence of God throughout your journey, giving you love, joy and hope.
Ilocos is one of the rare places in the country that has strongly preserved its heritage. Your pilgrimage begins in Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte. Laoag is known as the Sunshine City and is a delightful blend of traditional and modern lifestyle. Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon tour of the city which includes a mass at St. Williams Cathedral Church (Laoag Cathedral). Visit the cathedral earthquake baroque bell tower called the Sinking Bell Tower because it has been sinking under its own weight due to seismic activity through the centuries.
Proceed to Sarrat to celebrate Mass at the Santo Monica Parish Chruch, also known as the Sarrat Church. Built in 1779, the Santa Monica Parish Church is acclaimed as the largest church in the whole Ilocos Norte province and an “Important Cultural Property” by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Next stop is Bacarra, to visit the historical Bacarra Church founded by the Augustinians who dedicated it to St. Andrew. The Bacarra Church is famed for its centuries-old, domeless or “beheaded” belfry. Head for the renowned Burgos Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in the Philippines, for a photo stop. Continue your travel to Pagudpud’s Saud White Ivory Beach for lunch and relaxation.
En route to Vigan, stop by Burgos, the most northwestern town of the island of Luzon. Marvel at the beautiful rock formations sculpted by weather forces such as strong winds and sedimentation at the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. Have a photo stop at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as the Burgos Lighthouse.
Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur, is one of the few remaining 16th century towns in the Philippines and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a lovely tour of this delightful city which includes a visit to the various historic churches and mansions of yesteryears that boast of unique architecture that fuses European, Oriental, and Philippine building designs. Celebrate Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral also known as Metropolitan Cathedral. Right beside the Cathedral’s Bell Tower is Plaza Burgos, built to give honour to one of Vigan’s illustrious sons, Fr. Jose P. Burgos. Not to be missed is a pleasurable walk along Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street, a mestizo district filled with Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era.
Head for Sinait and celebrate Mass at Sinait Church, also known as St. Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church. The church houses the miraculous statue of the Black Nazarene (El Santo Cristo Milagroso), fondly called by its residents as “Apo Lakay.”
Wind down your pilgrimage in Paoay, where you will celebrate Mass at the awe-inspiring Paoay Church, also known as the St. Augustine Church. Paoay Church is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites as one of the four Baroque Churches in the Philippines.
Join a 4-day Pilgrimage to Ilocos with a Pilgrimage Chaplain on November 26, 2019. May this time of rest and reflection attune you to listen to the Shepherd’s voice with the hope that everyone will return to their homes changed and renewed.
Pray before the miraculous statue of the Black Nazarene, also known as Apo Lakay, on your visit to Sinait Church in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Enjoy yummy bakery delights at Pasuquin Bakery, a favourite of the locals in Ilocos Norte.
Learn more about Philippine History on your visit to Vigan, a place steeped with historical sites such as the Plaza Salcedo, the site of the execution of Gabriela Silang, the first woman leader of the Philippine Revolution.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Calle Crisologo in Vigan and experience being transported back to the period of Philippine Spanish colonial time.
Ilocos is awash with loads of pasalubong items like: braided garlic, Ilocos vinegar, bagoong, cornicks, longganisa, empanada, royal bibingka and much more. Make sure to bring home something for your family and friends.
The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB
READ MORE +1) 50% deposit is required upon reservation together with
the Pilgrim’s Booking Form.
2) Deadline for full payment should be at least one (1)
month before departure date.
3) Cancellation Charges:
> 50 % of the tour cost will be charged if cancellation
is made one (1) month before departure.
> Full tour cost shall be forfeited if cancellation is done
fifteen (15) days prior to departure date.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airport terminal
fee, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and
transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of
luggage in excess of the maximum allocation (10kgs.), drinks
and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such
as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, tips for drivers, guides,
tour escorts, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
terms and conditions.
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various
tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various
contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its
subagent’s therefore only act as agents for the contractors
providing the various services described in the tour and accept
no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental
expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or
“force majeure.” All tours and arrangements are subject to the
general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries
and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When
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the foregoing conditions.
