39th Annual Filipino Midland Martyr’s Shrine Pilgrimage in Canada
Ontario-Canada
August 9, 2019
The Bicol Canada Community led by its President Earl Francis Dacara and Past President Rafael Nebres, would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to all pilgrims, participants and guests to the 39th Annual Filipino Midland Martyr’s Shrine Pilgrimage in Ontario on August 3rd , 2019. The 75-acres of the Midland Martyrs' Shrine is the only National Shrine in Canada outside the province of Quebec.
This year’s pilgrimage marked a significant and symbolic gathering of all devotees, their families, friends of all faith and culture to celebrate their faith and religiosity as reflected by this year’s theme – “An Exodus of Faith: The Role of Mother Mary in the Faith of Filipino Immigrants; Our Lady of Peñafrancia – Patroness of the Bicol Region.”
The BCCA specifically thanks Rev. Fr. Bienvenido Ebcas Jr., past AFCM Director, and Rev. Fr. Sherwin Holandez, AFCM Director and Pastor Our Lady of the Assumption Church, for trusting them with the role and privilege of sponsoring this year’s pilgrimage.
The Pilgrimage was attended by fourteen Priests who came together to concelebrate the Holy Mass at the Shrine, headed by its Bicolano spiritual adviser Rev. Msgr. Edgardo S. Pan. Also present to welcome the pilgrims was Midland Martyr’s Shrine’s Director Rev. Fr. Michael Knox, SJ, who played a huge role in guiding the sponsoring organizations as they prepared for the event.
Joined by INA, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the patroness and Mother of Bicolanos, the Bicol Canada Community Association brought their faith from Naga City, Philippines to Midland, Ontario in Canada, to be with all the devotees from all over North America. Salamat Po Saindo Gabos! Diyos Mabalos!
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Photo credit: Gil Valencia, Earl Francis Dacara