In an address to the faithful from the Archdiocese of Ozamiz (Philippines), Pope Francis emphasized that "the pilgrimage to the shrines is a clear expression of trust in God.". The meeting, which took place on the morning of Friday, November 17 at the Vatican, was part of the Marian pilgrimage undertaken by the Filipino community across Europe.

Pilgrimage: A Journey of Faith and Trust

During the audience, the Pope engaged with Archbishop Martin Jumoad and the group of Filipino faithful and religious, who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their Archdiocese. Pope Francis reflected on the nature of a pilgrim, noting that each carries in their heart their faith, personal history, joys, sorrows, hopes, and prayers.

Finding God's Tender Love in Shrines

Pope Francis further stated that shrines are places where the "tender love of the Father who shows mercy to all" is profoundly encountered. He highlighted the significant role of the Virgin Mary in this spiritual journey, as she teaches us to welcome God into our lives. The Pope emphasized Mary’s maternal instinct to present our needs before Jesus, noting her humility and generosity in always pointing towards the Lord rather than herself.

Mary as the First Missionary Disciple

The Pope described the Virgin Mary as the "first missionary disciple," illustrating her example of listening to Jesus’ word, meditating on it in her heart, and then sharing it with others. He expressed his hope that the pilgrimage would inspire the Filipino faithful to emulate Mary as missionary disciples, transformed and renewed in their zeal to testify to the Lord's presence, compassion, and love.

This article was originally published on ACI Prensa.