Thousands of pilgrims gathered this Sunday, March 8, at Javier Castle (Navarra), the birthplace of Saint Francis Xavier, to participate in the first Javierada of 2026. The pilgrimage, held within the framework of the Novena of Grace and presided over by the Archbishop of Pamplona and Tudela, Mons. Florencio Roselló, brought together faithful from various points in Navarra and other regions of Spain.
Among them was also a group from the Saint Francis Xavier Chapter of Our Lady of Christendom, who pilgrimaged on foot to the sanctuary while waving the flag among the thousands of pilgrims present.
Pilgrims arrived from Navarra and other regions
According to information from the Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela, the event brought together faithful from various points in Navarra and also from other regions of Spain, including Madrid, Huelva, Soria, Zamora, or Valladolid.
Many pilgrims made the journey in parish groups, with family or friends, while others did so individually. Some began the pilgrimage on Saturday, spending the night in towns near the sanctuary.
That same afternoon, the traditional Welcoming Mass for pilgrims took place in the castle’s esplanade, with around 4,000 people participating.
Way of the Cross from Sangüesa to the castle
The Sunday’s activities began at eight in the morning with the Way of the Cross that departed from Sangüesa to Javier, covering the nine kilometers that separate both towns.
Subsequently, thousands of pilgrims gathered in the castle’s esplanade to participate in the first mass of the Javierada, celebrated at ten in the morning. The Eucharist was presided over by Mons. Florencio Roselló and concelebrated by the rector of the Javier sanctuary, Father Vicente Marcuello.
An invitation to live the faith
During the homily, the archbishop highlighted the perseverance of the pilgrims who, despite the rain, wind, and cold, completed the journey to Javier.
Roselló also emphasized the open nature of the pilgrimage and recalled that in Javier “everyone is welcome,” even those who question the Christian faith.
The archbishop also referred to the young people participating in the pilgrimage and defended the freedom with which many of them live their faith. In that sense, he recalled the figure of Saint Francis Xavier, patron of the missions and co-patron of Navarra, as an example of a young man who left everything to follow Christ.
Support for a missionary project in Honduras
During the day, it was explained that this year’s collection will be allocated to support the project of the Navarrese missionary Angelines Lainez for the construction of a curial house in the parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, in Honduras.
Next pilgrimage
Before the final blessing, the archbishop thanked the participation of the pilgrims and the work of the volunteers, as well as the collaboration of the Red Cross and the security forces.
The next Javierada will take place on Saturday, March 14, with a mass scheduled for five in the afternoon in the esplanade of Javier Castle.