I was a Pilgrim!
What is a pilgrim?
Pronunciation: \pil-grəm\
Function: noun
Etymology:Middle English, from Anglo-French pelerin, pilegrin, from
Late Latin pelegrinus, alteration of Latin peregrinus
foreigner, from peregrinus, adjective, foreign, from
peregri abroad, from per through + agr-, ager
land — more at for, acre
Date: 13th century
1:one who journeys in foreign lands :wayfarer
2:one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a
devotee
3: capitalized :one of the English
colonists settling at Plymouth in 1620
From:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilgrim
What is a pilgrimage?
Pronunciation: \pil-grə-mij\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1:a journey of a pilgrim; especially :one
to a shrine or a sacred place
2:the course of life on earth
From:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilgrimage
April 2, 2008 I become a
pilgrim and I did a pilgrimage. In all the places that I’ve been
where people would visit a place to worship,it was in Simala,Sibonga
a town in Cebu Philippines were they called their visitors a pilgrim.
I know there are also places like this somehere else but for me it
was my first time to experience this. As a fanatic of the word
“pilgrim” it was in this place that my high school dream of being
called a pilgrim and doing a pilgrimage really happened.
I was not really
expecting a lot when we were just on the way to the place. Although
I’ve heard stories about miracles and how Mama Mary would help people
specially students or professionals who will be taking their board
exam. The only thing on my mind while we were on our way was to give
thanks to the Lord specially Mama Mary because my Mom went there when
I was also about to take my board exam last November 2007 and also to
accompany our friend who is also about to take his board exam come
april 2008. I did pass our board exam and it was then my time to
visit the place and give thanks personally. When we entered the place
at around 8am I was just feeling calm and enjoy seeing the pilgrims
doing their pilgrimage. Then came the wishing bell, I was observing
people throwing their coins a couple of times before hitting the
right spot. I was thinking what will happen if it’s my turn to throw
my coin in the wishing bell. Because for me, throwing or tossing the
coin a couple of times before hitting the target was not that good
compared to just tossing it once. My turn came and I did hit the
target once as well my mother and our friend. My cousin did it twice
but still for me it was a good trial. When I hit the target the only
thing that popped out of my mind was to thank God. For whatever
reason I was indeed happy that I just did it once.
Then we walk straight up
to the church. Before entering the church I saw pilgrims writing
their petitions in a piece of paper. It was my first time to
experience that and I was amazed by what was happening. My companions
went on the write their petitions. While waiting I was observing and
was busy reading signs inside the place and came across the writings
about the meaning of the color of the candles. Usually I light 5
candles in churches but then knowing the meaning of the colors I was
thinking that I wanted to light all those colors. My companions were
done with their petitions and it was my time to write. At first I was
not sure what to write at first because I just went there to praise
God. Knowing that the paper would not be filled what I did was just
write what I ought to write.
After that we went inside
the church. And again I was on my usual state and not taking things
seriously. After lighting two candle a black/gray and blue I noticed
that what were displayed all over the place was the different images
of Mama Mary. It was in this time that I was able to see and know
what were the different versions of Mama Mary are. Then we lined up
to touch Mama Mary where Her fragrance still I can remember while
writing this. After visting the place we exited and while on our way
walking I saw the petitions and the memorable things that were
associated when Mama Mary was doing a miracle. The next place on the
journey inside was to line up to use the viel that Mama Mary used
when she cried in the year 1998(not so sure if its ‘98 or ‘99). but
before our turn I saw lots of letters for Mama Mary thanking her for
the blessings that she gave them. I did not find time to read the
letters because there were lots of them. I just remebered when I saw
the letters that I was very blessed that I was able to pass my board
exam without me going there personally. Then it was almost our turn
to use the viel, I was thinking what to asked because I just went to
praise Mama Mary and God. But as humans I did asked some favors
hoping that She together with Her Son would help me again.
