Pilgrimage through Cebu

Back in Japan, he always warmly welcomed and made many feel at home at the Tsukuba Catholic Church where he was parish priest for many years. Finally, with Fr. Noel Flaviano, Fr. Andrew Healey, both from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, found time to visit us in Cebu from February 25-28.

It was our turn to make them feel at home but how?

Our experience with the heavy traffic in Lapu-Lapu caused by the closing of the first bridge on the morning of their arrival diverted us from the original plan for them to meet Lapu-Lapu and to see the various resorts in Mactan.

Then, our Tia Rosy, their gracious hostess who generously shared her beautiful home and time, among others, came to our rescue. Her suggestions for the places to show our 2 priest friends turned out to be a beautiful itinerary of prayer and meditation. Orly and I did not expect but were very happy to have experienced a happy pilgrimage with Fr. Healey and Fr. Noel. We thank Tia Rosy for what turned out to be a spiritual journey as well. We also want to thank her driver Bening (short for Benigno) who made the trips for us all safe and comfortable.

February 26th was our day to journey to the south of Cebu, destination: Simala, where Mama Mary was witnessed by monks and residents to have shed tears. Before reaching the place, Bening suggested to stop over for lunch near the stalls that displayed the beautiful shoes made by the Carcar footwear makers. It was timely that Fr. Healey bought comfortable sandals that would take him up where the “palace” in the sky was in Simala!

Whoever conceived of the “palace” in the sky concept in Simala may have had a very rich imagination. Rather than preserve the modest, simple, poor setting where Mama Mary is said to have shed tears at several occasions in the past, visitors and worshippers will be surprised to see what seems to be an intended “palace” for Mama Mary in Simala!

Would Mama Mary have been pleased with the “palace,” we wondered?

Memories of the very simply preserved Lourdes in France came to mind. Upon entering the holy place in Lourdes, worshippers immediately feel the spirituality of the place where Mama Mary appeared. So much collective and private prayers, so much warmth and company of believers in Lourdes.

Simala gave me a different impression. I had to literally look for Mama Mary of Simala amidst so much grand human-made structures, statues, and steps. On the level of faith, it was easy to believe that Mama Mary showed her tears to the residents of this hilly place in Simala and have since done countless miracles. The “palatial” architecture, however, projected a human interpretation of the divine Marian experience which sharply contrasted with the original modest setting and the known humble spirituality of our Mama Mary. We went to and left Simala, however, with prayers in our hearts and for Mama Mary and God to guide those in Simala to lead the believers clearly and genuinely to God and our dear Mama Mary.

With the sun still shining brightly, Orly suggested that we all proceed to Boljoon. Familiar with the place where he and his team successfully encouraged residents to save and set up their own people's bank years back, Orly also wanted our priest visitors to experience scenic Boljoon, the so-called Mediterranean of Cebu.

Boljoon's natural beauty never ceases to impress. The warmth and spontaneous friendliness of the Boljoon residents also bring joy to transient visitors. The historic Boljoon excavation sites, the baluarte, and the impressive church allowed us to journey to the past as well, adding history to a spiritual pilgrimage that continued the next day.

Up on the high hills and mountains of Carmen lies the very solemn and very beautiful Benedictine Monastery. Here one can truly experience a very quiet, contemplative time with God, with Mama Mary and the saints. The structures are modest and together with the natural beauty of the place, provide appropriate elegant background and home for worshippers to find, to spend quiet time with God. The Stations of the Cross there will definitely be worth the physical and spiritual walk for the Lord!

Our heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Davi for his generous time shared with us.

Who would have thought that a friendly visit of Fr. Healey and Fr. Noel would turn out to be a reflective, spiritual pilgrimage and a wonderful God-given blessing in the midst of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the coming of the Holy Week.

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