By Lance Joeril Lao

DBFC Lawaan, Cebu, the Philippines, 16 April 2025 -- In solidarity with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and in response to the urgent call to rekindle hope in the hearts of all, the Don Bosco Formation Center (DBFC)–Lawaan, Cebu, through its extern students, or BEARErs, heeded the invitation of the Jubilee Year 2025 with the spiritual theme and motto Peregrinantes in Spem (Pilgrims of Hope).

The BEARErs embarked on a three-day pilgrimage-retreat to the northern part of Cebu, culminating in Bantayan Island. This sacred journey included visits to designated Jubilee Pilgrim Churches and holy sites, accompanied by spiritual exercises, prayer, meditation, and religious practices, allowing all participants to experience the outpouring of divine mercy.

The pilgrimage began on Friday, April 11, 2025, with a 6:00 AM Eucharistic Celebration at the DBFC chapel for the Fifth Week of Lent. The Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Erwin Joey E. Cabilan, SDB, DBFC Prefect of Studies and AB-REED and PASCOM Program Chair, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Vince Michael K. Sabal, SDB, Vice-Rector & Pastoral Animator and this year’s BEARErs Retreat Facilitator. An orientation immediately followed the Mass in the same venue.

Equipped with their Jubilee Passports and Journals, the pilgrims journeyed to Mandaue City for their first stop at the Parish and National Shrine of St. Joseph, one of the designated Jubilee Pilgrim Churches. After praying the Jubilee prayers, they proceeded with a meditative rosary en route to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santiago in Compostela. They were warmly welcomed by the parish priest, Rev. Msgr. Ildebrando Jesus Aliño Leyson, PC, gave a brief historical tour of the parish’s century-old heritage.

By midday, the group had reached Hagnaya Port and set sail for Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, arriving by late afternoon. They visited the local Parish of Sto. Niño to witness the Stations of the Cross, then proceeded to their accommodation at L&V Bantayan Guest House in Suba.

On the second day, Saturday, April 12, 2025, the pilgrims began with a 5:30 AM Mass at the Parish of Saint Peter, presided over by Rev. Fr. Vince Michael Sabal, SDB, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Erwin Joey Cabilan, SDB, joined by the local parishioners. After morning prayer (Lauds), the group traveled to the town of Madridejos while praying the rosary. Upon arrival, the pilgrims were divided into groups for spiritual input and sharing sessions held at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, facilitated by the Salesian priests and faculty.

At noon, the pilgrims returned to Suba for lunch and a Eucharistic Celebration at the Parish of Saint Peter, with Rev. Fr. Erwin Joey Cabilan, SDB, as presider and Rev. Fr. Vince Michael Sabal, SDB, as concelebrant. The afternoon offered time for rest (siesta) and recreation, with visits to the Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden and Sta. Fe Sandbar. Vespers were prayed on the journey back, and the evening concluded with a Taizé prayer led by Rev. Fr. Vince Michael Sabal, SDB.

On the final day, Sunday, April 13, 2025, the pilgrims rose early and prayed Lauds en route to Sta. Fe Port, then traveled to Bogo City, arriving by noon. There, they visited the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer, one of the five Jubilee Pilgrim Churches, where inputs were shared and lunch was taken nearby.

The journey continued to Capelinha de Fatima in San Remigio, where the Holy Mass for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Vince Michael Sabal, SDB, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Erwin Joey Cabilan, SDB. This celebration was joined by fellow pilgrims and religious sisters from different congregations—SNSP (Siervas de Nuestra Señora de la Paz), OSR (Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer), DW (Daughters of Wisdom), and SAP (Society of the Angel of Peace)—who are also students of the AB Religious Education and Pastoral Communication program.

The group was graciously welcomed by Sr. Mary Lorenz Ruiz, SAP, and received at the Society of the Angel of Peace monastery grounds. The final pilgrimage stop was at the Parish of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Danao City, where concluding reflections and words of gratitude were shared by Rev. Fr. Vince Michael Sabal, SDB.

The journey ended just as it began—with the Jubilee prayers, expressing deep thanksgiving. Vespers and the Holy Rosary were prayed on the return trip to Cebu City, entrusting the fruits of the pilgrimage to Mary Help of Christians and offering them in thanksgiving through the intercession of St. John Bosco.

This three-day pilgrimage-retreat has borne abundant spiritual fruit: joy, peace, renewal, and an enduring spark of hope in the hearts of all who journeyed as Pilgrims of Hope. Ardua non timeo. Ecce ego, mitte me!

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