The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage. Pope Francis himself called on the faithful to make a pilgrimage because “mercy requires a goal, dedication, and sacrifice.”
“Mercy is not just a concept or an abstract idea but an action word. It’s something that we do perform acts of mercy to one another,”
Aside from the spiritual benefits, a plenary indulgence is also available to the faithful for making a pilgrimage.
The Catholic Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone, people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the dioceses of the world including the Philippines.
In Manila, Cardinal Tagle starts the celebration by opening the Cathedral’s Jubilee Door and hold Mass on December 9, 2015. Catholics are encouraged to go on a pilgrimage to designated “jubilee churches”. Rectors and parish priests are coordinating well on how to make pilgrimages fruitful and meaningful to pilgrims.
Donations may come in cash or in kind and will be used to feed the hungry, provide housing for the homeless, and other projects.
Once you have completed the pilgrimage to all the five Jubilee churches, a certificate of Pilgrimage will be given to you at the last church you will visit.
Guidelines in the granting of indulgence during the Jubilee of Mercy:
“Mercy is not just a concept or an abstract idea but an action word. It’s something that we do perform acts of mercy to one another,”
Aside from the spiritual benefits, a plenary indulgence is also available to the faithful for making a pilgrimage.
The Catholic Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone, people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the dioceses of the world including the Philippines.
In Manila, Cardinal Tagle starts the celebration by opening the Cathedral’s Jubilee Door and hold Mass on December 9, 2015. Catholics are encouraged to go on a pilgrimage to designated “jubilee churches”. Rectors and parish priests are coordinating well on how to make pilgrimages fruitful and meaningful to pilgrims.
These five churches were chosen for the pilgrimage “because of their connection to mercy.”
1. Manila Cathedral
1. Manila Cathedral
2. National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City
3. Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Mandaluyong City
4. Santuario de Santo Cristo in San Juan City
5. Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay City
The Holy Year encourages the faithful to understand the practice of “merciful love” by dividing the works of mercy into two kinds "spiritual and corporal." Ritual is meaningless if not coupled with works of mercy and concrete actions towards charity,”
Year of Mercy pilgrimage may be held starting from Ash Wednesday, which marks the season of Lent, until the Pentecost Sunday.
The universal Church will observe an extraordinary Year of Mercy as decreed by the Pope from December 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.
The universal Church will observe an extraordinary Year of Mercy as decreed by the Pope from December 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.
Donations may come in cash or in kind and will be used to feed the hungry, provide housing for the homeless, and other projects.
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| Albar's Certificate of Pilgrimage (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
Once you have completed the pilgrimage to all the five Jubilee churches, a certificate of Pilgrimage will be given to you at the last church you will visit.
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| Passports are available at all five churches. May start and end at any church. Refer to your Pilgrim's Passport for the list of activities you need to fulfill in your visit to the Jubilee church. (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Passport-stamping Catholics may start their pilgrimage from any of the churches, they will have to proceed to the parish office every after they accomplished the required activities in each church for stamping of their passports. (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
Guidelines in the granting of indulgence during the Jubilee of Mercy:
1. Make a pilgrimage to the Holy Door in designated Jubilee Churches.
2. Have a good confession and celebrate the Eucharist with reflection on mercy.
3. The profession of Faith (Creed).
4. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the good of the Church and of the entire world. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be)
Located at Plaza de Roma in the Intramuros district of the City of Manila, the cathedral was originally a parish church owned and governed by the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on 6 February 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Praesidio by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current instance of the cathedral was finally completed in 1958.
The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis. On 27 April 1981, Pope John Paul II issued papal bull Quod Ipsum designating the cathedral as a minor basilica by his own Motu Proprio.
2. Have a good confession and celebrate the Eucharist with reflection on mercy.
3. The profession of Faith (Creed).
4. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the good of the Church and of the entire world. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be)
Manila Cathedral
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, informally known as Manila Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Manila, Philippines, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. The cathedral serves as the see of the Archbishop of Manila.Located at Plaza de Roma in the Intramuros district of the City of Manila, the cathedral was originally a parish church owned and governed by the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on 6 February 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Praesidio by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current instance of the cathedral was finally completed in 1958.
The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis. On 27 April 1981, Pope John Paul II issued papal bull Quod Ipsum designating the cathedral as a minor basilica by his own Motu Proprio.
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| The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral. http://manilacathedral.ph/ (Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Manila Cathedral Holy Jubilee Door "Porta Sancta" (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Recite the Year of Mercy prayer in front of Jubilee Cross containing a relic of the True Cross of Christ which you may venerate with a kiss. (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Grand bronze image of St. Peter the Apostles (a replica of the one in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican) Pray for the intentions of our Holy Father Pope Francis. You may venerate and kiss the foot of the image as is practiced in Rome. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Blessed Souls Chapel Offer prayers and masses for your departed loved ones. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| St. Peter Adoration Chapel (newly renovated) Spend some moments of silent adoration and meditation inside. (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Going down to Manila Cathedral Crypt. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Manila Cathedral Crypt (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Manila Cathedral Crypt Where four former Archbishops of Manila laid to rest. (Here you may pray for their eternal repose.) Rendering peaceful solemnity and quiet grace to the crypt is the mosaic of Marcello Avenali. The three-subject mosaic depicts the Lord’s agony on His way to Calvary, the meeting of Mary and Jesus on the way to Golgotha, and the Crucifixion. The crypt has been dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Former Archbishop of Manila Michael J. O’Doherty, Gabriel M. Reyes, Rufino J. Cardinal Santos and Jaime Cardinal Sin (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Going up and will pass by the confessional box. Avail the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| (Check the schedule of Confession) (Photo by Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Baptistry Renew your baptismal promises by reciting the Creed. (Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Saint Joseph Chapel Share your help and donation for the homeless. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Pray "Hail Holy Queen" in front of the main altar where Mary the Immaculate Conception is enthroned. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| Proceed to the Manila Cathedral Office for proper stamping of your passports. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
Santuario Del Santo Cristo
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| 1. Enter through the Holy Door and recite the Prayer of the Year of Mercy. 2. Pray for the intentions of Pope Francis. 3. Pray the devotion to the Santo Cristo. 4. Give Alms for the Corporal Works of Mercy of burying the dead. (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| 5. Proceed to the Conventual cemetery and pray for the dead. 6. Those who may want to attend Mass or avail of the Sacrament of Confession may do so. (Please check the schedule of masses and confession.) (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| 6. Baptistry (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| 7. Going up to Santo Cristo Altar (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
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| 8. Exit the church through another door. 9. Proceed to the Parish office for proper stamping of your passports during office hours. (Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
Shrine of the Divine Mercy
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| (Photo by Tony & Sol Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
Our Lady of Sorrows
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| 1. Enter through the Holy Door. 2. Celebrate Mass with Community. 3. Pray the Rosary or the Novena to Or Lady of Sorrows. 4. Give donation to the Prison Apostolate. 5. Give food to street children/homeless (Photo by Tony Albar for Princess Sol Diaries) |
