40,000 Catholic faithful troop to Mt. Samat

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Some 40,000 students, civic and religious leaders, government officials and delegates from Central Luzon and Metro Manila will participate today in the observance of the 3rd Diocesan pilgrimage to the historic Mt. Samat. Vicky Garcia, chairperson of the Bataan Tourism Council Foundation Inc. said the trek to Mt. Samat in Pilar town , this province, aims to inspire the youth and the faithful on Christian values and sacrifices ushering the new season of Advent on the celebration of the National Year of the Eucharist with Mary.

Garcia said Bishop Socrates Villegas of the Archdiocese of Balanga has led this Mt. Samat Pilgrimage on his personal vision for every Catholic in the province to become HERO which means Holiness of life through prayer and charity, evangelization for all, relationship of love and openness to receive and give.

The seven kilometer trek to the Shrine of Valor, atop the Mt. Samat , will start at 1:00 pm today with the Bataan Polytechnic State College brass band welcoming the delegates at the foot of Mt. Samat considered in history as the fiercest battle site in the Bataan peninsula during World War 11.

Bataan Gov. Enrique "Tet" Garcia, Rep. Albert Garcia of the second district of Bataan , Pilar mayor Charlie Pizarro and Bishop Socrates Villegas will lead the three-hour walk which is listed as the biggest congregation of Catholic faithful and delegates to the sacred Mt. Samat. — Raffy Viray