12/06/2025
Pilgrims of the Word: Cagayan District's Journey of Faith and Gratitude
As the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) marks its 150th year of missionary presence around the world, the Cagayan District of the SVD-PHN Province joined the global celebration with a meaningful and spiritually enriching pilgrimage. From June 9 to 11, 2025, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Gil Manalo, SVD, our District Superior, SVD missionaries and lay co-missionaries from the parishes of Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Namuac, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, and Calanasan journeyed together in faith to several SVD mission sites.
The pilgrimage was a moment of grace—an opportunity to reflect, give thanks, and renew our missionary spirit. Through prayer, fellowship, and shared stories, we experienced anew the joy of being “witnesses to the Word” in the parishes and communities we visited.
Day 1: A Journey Begins
On the morning of June 9, our first stop was Saint Arnold Janssen Parish in Adams, where we were warmly received by the parish priest, Fr. Louie Cris Gregorio, SVD. It was a fitting start, invoking the spirit of our founder as we set out.
Later that day, we had planned to visit the Holy Child of Prague Parish in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. However, due to unfavorable road and weather conditions, we were unable to proceed. Undeterred, the group continued on to the SVD Provincialate in San Fernando City, La Union, where we spent the night.
Day 2: Honoring the Mission's Legacy
The morning of June 10 began with a Eucharistic celebration at the Provincialate, joined by our confreres in the community. After Mass and a shared breakfast, we proceeded to Saint Therese Parish in Dagupan City. The parish staff received us with warmth and generosity, offering prayers and hearty refreshments.
From there, we traveled to Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Burgos, La Union, for a brief visit and prayer. Our next stop was a place of historical significance: Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in San Isidro, Abra, formerly known as Cagutungan, the cradle of the SVD mission in the Philippines.
Welcomed by the parish priest, Fr. Bernard Teneza, SVD, we spent time appreciating the church and its surroundings, and more deeply, the roots of our missionary heritage. It was in San Isidro that the first two foreign SVD missionaries, Fr. Louis Beckert, SVD, and Fr. Juan Scheiermann, SVD, established the first SVD mission station in the Philippines on August 23, 1909. Both missionaries lived, served, and died there, never returning to their homelands, a reminder of the depth of missionary commitment.
After prayers and a commemorative photo session, we shared supper with the parish community and continued to the SVD District House in Bangued, Abra, for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Graced by Community
At 6:00 AM on June 11, we joined the SVD confreres and SVD friends at the District House for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. A warm breakfast followed, graciously hosted by our SVD friends and the staff. With grateful hearts and renewed spirits, we journeyed back to Cagayan later that morning.
Pilgrimage as a Synodal Journey
This pilgrimage was more than a physical journey, it was a lived expression of synodality, of walking together as missionaries and co-missionaries of the Divine Word. It offered us time and space to pray, reflect, and deepen our sense of unity in mission.
As we commemorate the 150 years of the Society of the Divine Word, may our humble pilgrimage remind us of the legacy we continue, and may the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all.
May Jesus, the Divine Word, bless our mission, His missionaries, and all our partners in mission.
Fr. Juan C. Libangan Jr., SVD, Fr. Jhun Joel L. Templa, SVD
