Fr. Momoy Borromeo
October 25, 2023
Philippines
A praycation is a journey that resets the soul. It is not just a visit to a place to admire its nature, art, or history, but to seek and immerse yourself in the presence of God while enjoying the company of new found friends.
Bicol is the hometown of the world-renowned healing priest, Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo. After a near-death experience, Fr. Momoy says he gained the ability to “look” inside people’s bodies. Now, he’s using it to heal the sick. When asked what he does to “heal” people, he replied, “I really don’t do anything special; I just pray over them. After mass, I pray over people. I don’t know how they get healed because it is not me who does it. I just refer them to Him (referring to God).”
Bicol has beautiful beaches, spectacular views, delicious food, and historic attractions that provide a glimpse into the Philippines’ past. Albay and Sorsogon provinces in Bicol are noteworthy destinations for travelers who want to see a bit of everything. Albay is home to the world-famous Mount Mayon, while Sorsogon is a nature lover’s paradise. A unique adventure awaits you in the unforgettable 4-day Praycation to Bicol with Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo on October 25-28, 2023.
Your pilgrimage begins with a visit to Sorsogon Cathedral, also known as Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Standing at the heart of the city and facing Sorsogon Bay, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Sorsogon. The church boasts a magnificent façade that is often described as eclectic. Pass by Rizal Beach in Gubat, famous for its very fine white sand and gentle water. Head for Barcelona to visit and celebrate mass at the St. Joseph Church. Built by the Franciscan Order in 1874, the church is made of coral rocks. Its walls and bell towers are original ones, and it is one of the most beautiful churches in the Bicol Region.
Next stop is the municipality of Bulusan, an eco-tourism area. Visit St. James the Greater Parish, one of the four oldest churches in the Diocese of Sorsogon. Head for the remarkably beautiful Bulusan Lake. Sitting at the foot of the towering Bulusan Volcano, it is surrounded by a lush tropical rainforest thickly endowed with flora and fauna. Not to be missed is a hearty lunch at the Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm, a farm sanctuary and a perfect refuge to rest and reconnect with nature.
Head for the municipality of Irosin. Visit St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church, also referred to as Irosin Hilltop Church. The church hilltop offers a commanding view of the poblacion and nearby barangays. Just beside the church is another hill, which locals call Little Baguio. Its ascending steps are lined with Stations of the Cross, and its peak, where a grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary is found, offers a majestic view of the sunset.
Continue with your praycation to Brgy. Lidong, Sto. Domingo for a full day retreat culminating with the celebration of the Holy Mass with Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo at Mary’s Healing Sanctuary, a place of holistic healing.
Onwards to Albay to view the stunning Mayon Volcano, the world’s most symmetrical volcano. Mayon Volcano is undoubtedly the icon of Bicol and is the most famous of the seven volcanoes in the region. Visit Cagsawa Ruins, remains of a 17th century church built by the Franciscans, which was destroyed by an eruption of Mount Mayon in 1814. The site was declared a national cultural treasure in 2015. Leave for Ligao City to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine at Kawa-Kawa Hill. A beautiful and solemn church with a commanding view overlooking Legaspi City and Ligao City.
En route to Tabaco, stop by Tiwi to visit the Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr. St. John the Baptist Church in Tabaco, commonly known as Tabaco Church, was declared a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
Wind down your pilgrimage in Daraga to visit the Nuestra Senora de la Porteria Parish Church (Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church). Erected in 1776, the church was made of volcanic stones, and its massive structure was built based on baroque-rococo structure with Spanish influence.
Join a Praycation to Bicol with Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo on October 25-28, 2023. May this spiritual adventure give you an experience of God’s grace and leave long-lasting joyful memories and deeper friendships with fellow pilgrims.
Full-day retreat with Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo at the Mary’s Healing Sanctuary.
The St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Irosin, also known as the Irosin Hilltop Church, sits on a hill about 100 feet above sea level and offers majestic views of the city.
The Church of St. John the Baptist in Tabaco City bears an unusual characteristic : the presence of mason’s marks on stones used for the construction of the church building, a rare feature in the Philippines. The church is also known for its beautiful bell tower embedded with rococo deisgns.
A statue of Andres Bonifacio, the Philippine hero and leader of the Revolution, stands in the town park of Tabaco City.
Bring home Bicolano-made products on your visit to the Ibalong Pasalubong Center in Legazpi.
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
1. A 50% deposit is required upon reservation.
2. Full payment should be made at least one (1) month prior to departure date.
3. 50 % of the tour cost will be charged if cancellation is made one (1) month before departure. The full tour cost shall be forfeited if cancellation is done fifteen (15) days prior to departure date.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of the maximum allocation (10 kgs.), 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 making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
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