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The Crusaders’ Pilgrimage

Patrick Wee, (G5-C)

Posted Monday, 19-Feb-2007 8:50 AM

              Last January 27, the Eucharistic Crusaders had its annual pilgrimage to different shrines in Tagaytay and Laguna. That morning, we boarded bus # 2 with the Grade Four Crusaders. Each Crusader was given merienda before they boarded the bus. We felt like big brothers to the Grade Four students. Although we were seated separately from them in the bus, we were able to share our food. Food was passed around among fellow crusaders.

              When we arrived at our first stop, we saw engraved on a piece of wood, a sign that said, “Chapel on the Hill”. It was a very beautiful place. On the walls were pictures of some very young saints. Among of them were Saint Dominic Savio, St. Tarcisius and many other young saints. We had a wonderful mass with Fr. Christopher Kennedy, SDB.  Fr. Chris celebrated the holy mass and delivered a very meaningful homily. He talked about the many saints who died in honor of God like, Saint Dominic Savio, a very young saint who died of Tuberculosis. We also learned that when Pope John Paul II canonized him, he said that he didn’t do anything extraordinary, but he did little things in extraordinary ways.

              The second stop was the Lourdes Church. It was a big church where weddings are usually held.  When we arrived a marriage ceremony was ongoing so we decided to just pray at the back of the church.

              We stopped at the SVD (Society of the Divine Word) seminary for lunch in their spacious gym. We then attended a short seminar and were given a tour of their “humble abode”. After the tour we offered a short prayer to the Blessed Mother. We learned that those whom we call “brothers” here in Xavier School may also be called “fraters,” which is short for “fraternity.” We also learned that the seminarians study CLE but more deeply and they call this subject, Theology.

              In the afternoon, we went to the National Shrine of our Lady of  La Salette. There we watched a short film about the appearance of Our Lady of La Salette.  I had a chance to reflect after viewing the film.  We were asked to think about what we want to do with our lives.  We had two choices, either we use a hammer to make Jesus’ Cross heavier or a pincer to lighten Jesus’ load.  Most of the Crusaders chose to use a pincer to lighten Jesus’ load.  It was a figurative way of showing how we can relate God’s teachings through our daily lives.

              On our way home, most of the moderators were expecting all of us to be sleepy and tired, but they were surprised to see that we were still full of energy. It was a day filled with colorful sights and wonderful insights.  Truly, a pilgrimage I will never forget!

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