Lipa Gears for the 6th Marian Pilgrimage to Carmel

All roads will lead to the Mediatrix Shrine at Lipa this September 12!

The Archdiocese of Lipa is bracing itself for the influx of Marian devotees for the 6^th Marian Pilgrimage for Word Peace and Sanctification of the Clergy on September 12.  Making it more meaningful,  the Pilgrimage will also mark the first day of the four-day First Asia Oceania Mariological Conference (FOMC) with noted Marian theologians, Dr. Mark Miravalle, STD, and Msgr. Dr. Arthur Calkins, STD, giving their lectures on the proposed 5^th Marian dogma.

Locally,  the pilgrimage is preceded by a triduum of Marian devotions and Masses to be held at the Cathedral of San Sebastian.  At the first day, September 9, the clergy and the faithful of Vicariates 1, 2, 3, and 7 gather at the Cathedral at 3:30pm, after the procession by the parishioners of the proposed Parish of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace bearing her revered image from Carmel to the Cathedral.  Fr. Gamelin Balita, Dean of the Vicars Forane will deliver the first Marian lecture, after Fr. Joseph Rodem Ramos, in-charge and host of this annual pilgrimage, has presented the event’s aspirations.  Fr. Larry Abante will be the main celebrant during the Eucharistic celebration with Msgr. Alfredo Madlangbayan as homilist.

The following day, September 10, it will be the turn of the clergy and the faithful of Vicariates 4 and 6 to preside over the preparation for the pilgrimage.  Fr. Rustam Sabularse, theology professor at the St. Francis de Sales School of Theology, will give the Marian lecture.  Fr. Federico Magboo will be the main presider during the concelebrated Mass with Fr. Randy Marquez, OSJ, Vicar Forane of Vicariate 4, as homilist.

The last day of the triduum will be mainly participated in by the clergy and faithful of Vicariate 5,  which will feature a healing Mass at 9:00 pm to be presided over by renowned healing priest, Fr. Diwane Cacao. 

Confessions will be available during the entire three-day gathering at the Cathedral, as Archbishop Arguelles encourages the faithful to take this as part of the preparation for the forthcoming centennial celebration in 2010. 

The pilgrimage day will start with the exposition and vigil of the Blessed Sacrament starting at midnight of the previous day.  After the Morning Praise, the traditional procession from the Cathedral,  this time going to the site of the Proposed Parish, will ensue.  At around 6:00 am,  the Archbishop will lead the clergy and the faithful in the Eucharistic Mass.  The lectures by the noted Marian theologians will follow. At 1:00 pm,  a procession, from the parish will bring the image of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace to Carmel Church where a concluding Eucharistic celebration will be led by Most Rev. Josef Maria Pund, D.D., Bishop of Amsterdam, together with the Archbishops and Bishops of the Philippines.

Lipa City Mayor, Hon. Oscar Gozos and his wife will lead the   floral offering after the post-communion prayer, to be followed by the crowning of  Virgin’s image by His Eminence, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.  Batangas Governor, Hon. Vilma Santos-Recto is to lead the Prayer of Consecration of Batangas Province to the Blessed Mother,  while His Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to lead the Prayer of Consecration of the Philippines.