Before leaving the military camp, Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer offered
Holy Mass for 31 persons. After the Mass, 33 persons attended
the short catechism and received the Brown scapular. Then we had
a quick breakfast consisting of hot coffee plus a cup of rice
and a piece of boiled egg. At 9:00am, we left camp.
Accompanied by soldiers from the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, the
Pilgrim Virgin processed uphill and downhill, covering 14.86km
from the camp in Malandag to the Poblacion of Malungon,
Sarangani Province. As it did yesterday, the sun smiled very
brightly on us but in the afternoon, it allowed some rain to
drop down and refresh us a bit.
We
are now reduced to a small troop of hardy pilgrims: 2 children,
4 ladies and 13 males carrying the banners and the carroza, the
hardworking priest and 6 senior female catechists and 4 drivers.
There were 3 trucks that cruised along - one carried the sound
system and the song leaders, the other truck bore the luggage
and stocks. Another truck trailed along to carry pilgrims in
case of injury or emergency. There was a service vehicle for the
food and water supply and a motorcycle that fetched the priest
each time he lagged behind because of the eager requests of
people along the road for catechism, sacramentals and
sacraments.
At 10:10am, we stopped for some rest and conducted a catechism
campaign at a small chapel dedicated to St. Pedro Calungsod
where 19 persons welcomed the Pilgrim Virgin. After a catechism
lesson, 31 persons received the Brown Scapular and six persons
were each given a Miraculous Medal. Fifteen persons came up to
the Pilgrim Virgin statue to offer their prayer intentions and
donations.
Morning snack consisted of 2 pieces candies and a piece of green
citrus fruit.
At 10:51am, we resumed walking and reached the riverside village
of Buayan in Malandag and stopped at the parish church dedicated
to the Immaculate Conception. Fifty four persons (31 adults and
23 children) welcomed the Pilgrim Virgin. Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer
preached about Fatima. The preaching ended at 12:05pm, 50
persons received the Brown Scapular.
Then at 12:30pm, we had lunch which consisted of a bowl of rice
topped with sauteed sardines, a piece of citrus fruit and a
refilled bottle of water.
While taking lunch, our team leader (Patrick Intes) studied the
map and checked where we could spend the evening. A decision was
made to camp out in the municipal gym and the assistant team
leader (Rosmar Ordovas) went ahead to make necessary
arrangements with the Mayor's Office.
During lunch, some pilgrims continued teaching catechism to
people who came to see the Pilgrim Virgin. At 1:15PM, 8 persons
were enrolled in the Brown Scapular. At 2pm, we left the church
of the Immaculate Conception and resumed walking.
At 3:12pm, we made a quick stop (10 minutes) at Barangay Nagpan
and snacked on fresh turnips and plain water then continued
walking until we reached the Barangay Hall of Nagpan at 3:37pm.
After another round of catechism, 20 persons (10 children, 6
youth and 4 adults) were enrolled in the Brown Scapular at
4:46pm. At 4:59pm, the Barangay Captain came to meet the
Pilgrim Virgin and the walkers. We left the Barangay Hall at
5:00pm.
At 5:28pm, we reached Barangay Poblacion - the heart of Malungon,
Sarangani Province and sat down to rest. Upon seeing the
Pilgrim Virgin, a passerby made the Sign of the Cross. While
resting, we conducted another catechism campaign, after which 30
people (11 adults, 6 youth and 13 children) received the Brown
Scapular.
Surprise! The Pilgrim Virgin was invited to St. Joseph Parish
Church. We arrived at the church at 6:22pm. Thirty three
persons and the Parish Priest kindly welcomed the Pilgrim
Virgin. The parish priest knelt before the Pilgrim Virgin,
and, assisted by Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer, prayed the Consecration
of the parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. After the
Consecration, the parishioners and the parish priest listened to
the preaching of Fr. Pfeiffer about Fatima and the Militia
Immaculatae. At 6:49pm, 20 persons were enrolled in the Brown
scapular.
Guess what happened next? The parish priest kindly offered the
parish hall for the walkers to camp in! It was not going to be
another adventure on hammock tents that night. There was a
kitchen and dining table in the parish hall. We dined in style:
enjoyed a hot soup of fish with our ever beloved bowl of boiled
rice.
Before turning in for the night, the team leader consulted the map again to plan the route for the following day. After consulting with the soldiers, he made the decision to cover 20 kilometers tomorrow. Ahead of us lay the winding road carved on the shoulders of imposing mountains that form the distal phalanges of the complex Central Cordillera mountain range which flank the country's highest peak - Mount Apo. We will be climbing almost a thousand feet above sea level. May we climb higher... nearer to Thee, o God! Onward, Pilgrim Virgin walkers!
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