A replica of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe arrived this week in the Philippines to begin a national pilgrimage that will visit more than fifty churches over the next six months. The initiative is part of the spiritual preparations for the fifth centenary of the Virgin’s apparitions to Saint Juan Diego, which will be celebrated in 2031.
The official reception of the image took place on June 11 at Malacañang Palace, the seat of the Philippine presidency, in an event led by the bishop of Kidapawan, José Colin Bagaforo, spiritual director of the pilgrimage. Also in attendance were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Apostolic Nuncio Charles Brown, civil authorities, and numerous faithful.
Philippines joins the preparation for the Guadalupan jubilee
The pilgrimage is part of the Intercontinental Guadalupan Novena, an international initiative of prayer and evangelization aimed at preparing the Church for the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tepeyac Hill, which occurred between December 9 and 12, 1531.
The image that will travel through the Philippines is a replica of the one venerated in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Accompanying it is also a representation of Saint Juan Diego, the Nahua indigenous man who received the Marian apparitions and whose figure remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the evangelization of the American continent.
The organizers believe this initiative will strengthen spiritual bonds among Catholics from different nations and highlight the universal dimension of the Guadalupan message.
A call to spiritual renewal
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has encouraged the faithful to take an active part in this journey of prayer. In a pastoral letter published in early June, the bishops invited Catholics to renew their relationship with Jesus Christ through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
The president of the bishops’ conference and archbishop of Lipa, Bishop Gilbert Garcera, explained that during the image’s visit to each church, an act of consecration and entrustment to Our Lady of Guadalupe will be prayed at all Masses.
According to the Filipino bishops, the main goal of the pilgrimage is not only to promote Marian devotion but also to foster genuine spiritual renewal among the faithful.
The “Pilgrim Mother of Guadalupe”
The official opening of the pilgrimage will take place this Saturday at Manila Cathedral with a Mass presided over by Cardinal José Advincula, archbishop of the Philippine capital.
The cardinal has given the image the title “Pilgrim Mother of Guadalupe,” emphasizing the Virgin’s role as a mother who accompanies the faithful on their Christian journey.
After its stop in Manila, the image will visit cathedrals, shrines, and parishes throughout the country. It will also be present at the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, scheduled for July in the city of Ozamiz.
The pilgrimage will conclude in December with the permanent installation of the image in Manila Cathedral.
A deeply rooted devotion
Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe has a long history in the Philippines. In 1935, Pope Pius XI declared her the Celestial Patroness of the country, while in 2002 the Filipino bishops recognized her as the Patroness of Providence of the Philippines.
With more than 93 million Catholics, the Philippines is the country with the largest Catholic population in Asia and the third nation with the most Catholics in the world, behind only Brazil and Mexico.