To deepen the faith of Liturgists, the Catholic Liturgists of the Philippines urged the dioceses and parishes, on Sunday, Sept. 24, to advocate pilgrimages as a means of evangelization.
In a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Catholic Liturgists said that “one way to promote a synodal spirit is through pilgrimages."
The liturgists emphasized in a National Meeting of Diocesan Directors of Liturgy (NMDDL) that dioceses, parishes, and basic ecclesiastical communities should encourage pilgrimages due to their significant spiritual value and communal service.
"Pilgrimage is a religious journey where people pray together and listen to each other as they walk to a particular sacred destination," it stated.
The catholic liturgists pointed out that it is "an opportunity to meet new people, express faith and promote charity."
They said to be called a synodal church "is a call for us to be together, to participate in one journey and prayer as well as to proclaim the Gospel and to help the poor."
In this way, "popular piety through pilgrimages" becomes aid toward a synodal Church.
Pilgrimage sites similar to National shrines or diocesan shrines were encouraged by NMDLL "to foster communion, participation and mission to enrich this form of popular piety."
The NMDDL is an annual gathering of liturgical directors, liturgical students, and professors from all over the Philippines.
It was held in Calasiow, Pangasinan from Aug. 28 to 31, with the theme of "Liturgical formation towards a synodal Church." (Erika Mariel Custodio Escover)