Pope Francis welcomed pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Ozamis to the Vatican on Friday, Nov. 17, urging them to live as faithful disciples of the Lord.
Ozamis Archbishop Martin Jumoad was joined by priests and lay representatives on a Marian pilgrimage in Europe as part of its golden jubilee celebration as a diocese.
A CBCP News post said, Pope Francis called on the pilgrims “to deepen their awareness of their baptismal call to always live as faithful disciples of the Lord to be able to contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom of justice, unity and peace.”
“In this regard, it is my hope that your parishes and communities will be models in practicing the works of mercy and in being neighbors to all, especially families, young people, the sick, the elderly and the poor, with the charity that Jesus asks of us,” Pope Francis said.
“This includes, as well, being responsible stewards of creation, in the realization that our care for one another and for our common home are intimately bound together,” the 86-year-old Pontiff added.
The Holy Father encouraged the pilgrims “to journey together in fraternal solidarity, listening to one another and above all to the Holy Spirit who guides the entire Church in discerning new and creative paths for the proclamation of the Gospel.”
The Prelature of Ozamis was established out of Misamis Occidental in 1951 with Columban Fr. Patrick Cronin as its first apostolic administrator. In 1955, the priest was appointed as its first prelate.
Ozamis attained the status of a diocese on Feb. 17, 1971, with Bishop Jesus Varela serving as its first bishop. Cronin, at this time, had already become the archbishop of Cagayan de Oro.
Ozamis was further elevated to an archdiocese on Jan. 24, 1983, with the dioceses of Dipolog, Iligan, Pagadian, and the Prelature of Marawi assigned as its suffragans.