As the Catholic Church prepares for the Holy Year 2025, several churches in the Philippines have been designated as official pilgrimage sites. Announced by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), these sites will offer local Catholics an opportunity for spiritual renewal during the jubilee year, allowing them to engage in acts of reflection, conversion, and reconciliation without the need to travel to Rome.
Pilgrims of Hope: A Year of Mercy
The Holy Year 2025, under the theme "Pilgrims of Hope," calls the faithful to embark on a journey of spiritual reflection and renewal. Cardinal-elect Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP president, highlighted that these pilgrimage sites will serve as places where the faithful can experience God's infinite mercy and deepen their faith. The jubilee year will officially begin on December 24, 2024, with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, marking the start of this special year.
Pilgrimages are a time-honored Catholic tradition, offering a path to spiritual growth. While Rome remains the ultimate destination for many, the CBCP’s initiative makes the pilgrimage experience more accessible for Filipinos, who can visit designated churches and shrines throughout the country.
Key Pilgrimage Sites in the Philippines
Among the churches chosen as pilgrimage sites are some of the Philippines’ most significant religious locations, including the St. Joseph Cathedral Parish in San Jose, the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo, San Sebastian Cathedral in Manila, and Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral in Baguio. These sites will offer opportunities for prayer, confession, and indulgences.
Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Secretary General, noted that these churches will be centers for reconciliation and spiritual events, helping to strengthen the faith of Filipino Catholics during this holy year.
Emphasizing Reconciliation
Pope Francis has urged pilgrims to embrace the Sacrament of Reconciliation, calling it the starting point of their spiritual journey. Through confession and acts of mercy, the faithful can renew their connection with God and experience the transformative power of the holy year.
