Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
May 8, 2023
Spain, France, and Portugal
Ezekiel Moreno was born in Alfaro, Spain, on April 9, 1848. He joined the Recollect Congregation of the Order of Saint Augustine in Monteagudo (Navarra) in 1864 and professed vows in 1865. He was sent to the Philippines, where he was ordained in 1871 and served as a missionary for 15 years.
Later on, Fr. Ezekiel would be reassigned to Columbia in South America, where he was appointed as bishop of Pasto. There, he would spend the next 18 years until he was forced to return to Spain for cancer treatment. Recognizing that the end was drawing near, he asked to spend his final days in Monteagudo, Spain, in the monastery where he had entered the Augustinian Order and beside the image of the Virgen del Camino, Our Lady of the Way. There, he passed away in 1906. In 1915 and in 1975 his mortal remains were exhumed and found to be incorrupt. St. Ezekiel Moreno was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1975 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1992.
Miracles leading to his beatification and canonization were cases of immediate and total cures of cancer, for which he is invoked by the OAR and by the Catholic Church as a special advocate for or patron of cancer patients. Today, innumerable cures, especially of cancer, are attributed to his powerful intercession.
Follow in St. Ezekiel Moreno’s footsteps. Join Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, in a 14-day Marian pilgrimage to Spain, France, and Portugal including a visit to places associated with St. Ezekiel Moreno, patron saint of cancer patients, on May 8-21, 2023.
Your pilgrimage begins with a mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy in Barcelona, Spain. According to legend, in 1637, the Virgin of Mercy freed the people of Barcelona from a terrible plague of locusts, and in return, years later, she was named the patroness of the city. Onwards to Montserrat to visit the Santa Maria de Montserrat, an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict, notable for enshrining the miraculous image of the Virgin of Montserrat or La Moreneta, one of Spain’s most revered icons. Head back to Barcelona to see the city’s gorgeous scenery, breathtaking architecture and superb cultural attractions. Not to be missed is a visit to the famous Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), a towering neo-Gothic church built by Antoni Gaudi. The unfinished, amazing monument is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Travel onwards to Lourdes, France for your 3-night stay in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, an apparition site of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858. Here, 18 apparitions were reported. Pray the rosary and spend time in quiet reflection at the Grotto of Massabielle, the Blessed Mother’s apparition site. Not to be missed is the evening rosary procession, where “Ave Maria” is sung in unison and the rosary is recited in different languages.
Revisit Spain and head for Alfaro, the birthplace of St. Ezekiel Moreno. See the San Miguel Collegiate Church, the parish to which St. Ezekiel belonged during his infancy. In one of its chapels, the baptismal font where he was baptized is preserved. Then, head for Zaragoza, where you will stay for three nights.
In Tarazona, visit the new Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Huerta. This is the cathedral of the diocese to which St. Ezekiel belonged from birth to death and in which, without doubt, he prayed many times. A relic of St. Ezekiel is encased in the new altar of the cathedral.
Continue your pilgrimage to the town of Monteagudo. Visit the Convent of Our Lady of the Way, where St. Ezekiel Moreno’s uncorrupt body is kept. Stop by the museum built in his honor on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of St. Ezekiel Moreno.
Celebrate mass at the grand basilica-cathedral of Our Lady of the Pilar in Zaragoza. In the year 40 AD, when St. James the Apostle was sitting here on the banks of the Ebro River, the Virgin Mary appeared to him and reassured him that his efforts to bring Christianity to the region would not be in vain. She also asked him to consecrate a church in her name and left behind a pillar of jasper to mark the spot where she made her appearance. As Mary promised, St. James was indeed successful, and the place of their encounter became a holy place. Holy men and women such as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Ignatius of Loyola have all made the journey here to show their devotion to Our Lady of Pilar, the patroness of Spain.
Next stop is a visit to the city of Siguenza, home to an outstanding architectural heritage that was declared a historic-artistic site in 1965. Then it’s on to Guadalajara, followed by two nights in Madrid.
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is its largest city. While Madrid possesses modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. On your city tour, you will have the chance to visit the city’s important landmarks such as the Royal Palace, the Madrid of the Bourbons, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and other sights. Not to be missed is a celebration of the holy mass at the Almudena Cathedral.
Cap off your pilgrimage with a two-night stay at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal.
Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 2018, after which he journeyed silently toward his recovery. It was during his healing journey that he came to know about St. Ezekiel Moreno, patron saint of cancer patients. Fr. Jerry said, “I personally believe he (St. Ezekiel) was manifesting his presence, his healing, and his intercession.”
Travel with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, on a spiritual journey to the places where the Blessed Mother has appeared, which includes a visit to the sites associated with St. Ezekiel Moreno in Spain. Join a 14-day Marian pilgrimage to Spain, France and Portugal (including a visit to the birthplace and tomb of St. Ezekiel Moreno, the patron saint of cancer patients) on May 8–21, 2023. May this experience grant all pilgrims the faith to place their lives in the loving mercy of God.
- The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar enshrines the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pilar (officially in Spanish, Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza). It is recognized as the first Marian apparition in the history of Christianity and is the only one that happened while the Virgin Mary was still alive.
- Stunning examples of Antoni Gaudi’s work can be found around the city of Barcelona, all of which were declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
- St. Ezekiel Moreno started his ministry in the Philippines, where he served for 15 years. His success in his evangelization is attributed to his mastery of the Tagalog language.
- Evening Rosary and Candlelight procession in Lourdes and Fatima, and where the “Ave Maria” is sung in unison in different languages.
- Light a candle at every pilgrimage site for prayer requests from friends and families back home.
• Passport with six (6) months validity from the date of departure
• One (1) Visa Application Form
• Two (2) pcs. passport-size pictures
• Original Bank Certificate (both Pesos and/or US Dollars) – must include account type, current balance, account opening, and six (6) months average
• Original or certified true copy of Bank Statement for the last (3) months
• Affidavit of Support and Consent (signed and notarized by the sponsor if financially incapable)
• If married, copy of Authenticated Marriage Contract
• Copy of hotel voucher (to be supplied by ERI)
• Photocopy of International Credit Cards (if available)
• Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of Php2.5 Million (valid for 30 days)
If employed:
• Employment Certificate – must be in company’s letterhead and must include the applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, and company’s address, telephone number, and email address
• Certificate of Compensation 2316
If in business:
• Original and Photocopy of Business Registration, DTI or SEC
• Original and Photocopy of Latest Income Tax Return
• Personal appearance by the applicant
• Processing Time: 15 – 30 days
VISA FEE: Php 9,500.00*
* Subject to change without prior notice!
1) A US$ 500.00 deposit (for economy) / US$1,000.00 deposit (for business class) is required upon reservation together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure), Pilgrim’s Profile with a passport-size photo, copy of latest arrival stamp in Manila, visa fee (if applicable), and travel insurance payment.
2) Final payment in USD is due on or before June 1, 2020.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 45 days before departure date – US$ 500.00
> 30 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 20 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
> US$ 300.00 Admin Fee for any visa denial.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation, drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, 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 sub-agents 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. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
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