Proposed 5th Marian Dogma to be Presented during National Pilgrimage

(September 5, 2009) –  The 6th National Marian Pilgrimage for world Peace and Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy, slated for September 12, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary,  will feature not only Marian devotions  like praying the Rosary,  the celebration of the Eucharist, consecration of the country to the twin Hearts of Jesus and Mary.  This year’s pilgrimage will also mark the opening day of the First Asia-Oceania Mariological Conference,  to completed at its venue in Alfonso, Cavite.

Two Mariologists, Msgr. Dr. Arthur Calkins, STD, and Dr. Mark Miravalle, will talk about the proposed 5th Marian dogma.  The group is at the forefront of the popular world-wide clamor to have Mary declared as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix of All Grace and Advocate, to be added to the four Marian dogmas:  Mother of God (431), Virginity of the BVM (649), Immaculate Conception (1854) and Assumption (1950).   The two will address the Marian devotees in the morning, at the site of the proposed new parish of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace in Antipolo, Lipa City, some kilometers away from the Carmel Church, site of the big concelebration Mass that will culminate the whole day activities.

This year’s theme is “Pueblo Amante de Maria, Mediatrix of all Grace,  Called to Proclaim the Good News to Fellow Asians”.  A triduum will precede the September 12 pilgrimage, expected to be attended by Marian devotees all over the country.  Previous pilgrimages elicited participation from the faithful from as far as Vigan and Tuguegarao from the North and Mati and Surigao from the South.  This year’s main celebrant in the afternoon Eucahrist is the Most Rev. Josef Maria Pund, D.D., Bishop of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The local and foreign delegates to the First Asia-Oceania Mariological Conference will be introduced by Bishop Socrates Villegas of Balanga, Bataaan, after the welcome remarks of Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D., Archbishop of Lipa.

Expected to attend this Marian pilgrimage are the Archbishops and Bishops of the country, especially the two Cardinals, both of whom are former Archbishops of Lipa.  Government dignitaries, led by Batangas Governor, Hon. Vilma Santos Recto, and Lipa City Mayor, Atty. Oscar Gozos, will also grace the afternoon Eucharist.  In the past,  Presient Gloria Arroyo attended the morning Eucharist.  However,  she was invited to lead the consecration of the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.