Photo from Antipolo Cathedral Website
Antipolo is known to be the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines. Because of its rich religious history that can be traced back to the Spanish era, this city is a popular destination for pilgrims all around the country.
Devotees have been visiting the miraculous and revered “Marian image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or the Virgin of Antipolo, which was brought in from Mexico in 1626” (De Vera & Noriega, 2019). This proves the strong Filipino devotion to Mary, which therefore influences their journey to churches with her patronage.
The image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is a 17th-century Roman Catholic wooden image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “The safe voyage of Governor-General Juan Niño de Tabora across the Pacific Ocean in 1626 was attributed to the image, which was given the title of “Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage”. It was substantiated later by six other successful voyages of the Manila-Acapulco Galleons with the image aboard as its patroness” (Antipolo Cathedral, n.d.).
Various activities are held here during Holy Week, one of which is where devotees do the alay-lakad or walk offering. Many pilgrims come to Antipolo from nearby cities such as Pasig, Marikina, and Quezon City, and many more from farther places and provinces.
Pilgrimages are done not just by Catholics but by almost every religion. “Muslims go to Mecca and the Jews to Jerusalem. Buddhists journey to Tibet, and Hindus to Benares” (De Vera & Noriega, 2019).
For us Filipinos, it has been a “panata” to visit churches, shrines, and other religious destinations as a sign of our commitment to our faith. We do it as a form of thanksgiving and spiritual renewal, as well as to ask the divine for their continuous guidance and blessings throughout our lives.
References
Antipolo Cathedral. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://antipolocathedral.com/index.html
De Vera, E. & Noriega, R. (2019). Pilgrimage: A journey of faith. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2019/04/13/pilgrimage-a-journey-of-faith/
Ynares, J. (2015). Pilgrimage Capital. Retrieved from https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-bulletin/20150412/281685433367880