Benel D. Lagua l May 5, 2023 l The Manila Times
THE basic definition of pilgrimage is a “journey made on foot or by other means to a site of particular religious significance.” It is part of many of the great religions in the world where one seeks to fulfill a ritual obligation, perform an act of devotion to atone for their sins, live an experience of spirituality, or implore a grace, a miracle or a cure.
The Hajj, for example, is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. In Islam, it is mandatory for every Muslim who is physically able, of sound mind and financially capable to go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime. It is also believed that the journey allows Muslims to wipe away any sins and wipe the slate clean in front of Allah and deepen their devotion.
In Christianity, pilgrimage may not be mandated, but the image of the journey finds its metaphorical representation in life itself. We are all on a path heavenward. The Vatican speaks of a pilgrim church that journeys toward heavenly Jerusalem. The church is also depicted as a community of disciples “led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of the Father.”
In the Scripture, there are many stories of pilgrimage manifested in physical journeys and trials — from Abraham’s journey in faith, the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, the Three Kings, the Holy Family, Jesus’ public life, and so on.
Today, the Christian tradition of pilgrimage varies. There is the Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where pilgrims walk along the famous Camino. Other pilgrimage sites are associated with the saints and their relics. Then there are the Marian Shrines, Lourdes in France, Loreto in Italy, Fatima in Portugal, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, etc.
While most pilgrimage journeys can be viewed as appreciation for history, beauty, culture and the arts, which are aplenty in these destinations, the trip does not become a real pilgrimage unless the pilgrim finds his faith and deepens the same through the journey. By visiting places with traces of holiness, the pilgrim finds God within and lives the faith more generously once back home. It is not simply a journey to a place of religious interest. It is an inward journey to one’s heart to find God’s presence and grace. Through the pilgrimage, one acknowledges the need for repentance, reconciliation and healing.
Just a few weeks ago, together with my wife Mafe and daughter Blessie, we joined a Holy Land Pilgrimage in Egypt, Israel and Jordan through “Journeys of Faith.” We had two excellent chaplains, Fr. Jigs Rosalinda and Fr. Dennis Soriano, who guided us on the significance of the places in the land that Jesus walked. Our two chaplains helped the pilgrims look deeper into our hearts to reflect on our personal motivation for the trip and to hopefully deepen our faith.
As reflected by two disciples who met the risen Jesus, “Were not our hearts burning when he talked to us on the road.” That was the effect Fr. Jigs and Fr. Dennis made, as a whole, to the group to keep our hearts burning. But while we prayed and reflected, we had fun along the way because the good Lord wants us to be happy and blessed. We were in the company of strangers who became new family and friends in a short while.
As most of the readers here are businesspeople and finance practitioners, let me share this. Our life is a pilgrimage, and the sooner we find purpose in all we do, the more meaningful this journey will be. When we take a pilgrimage attitude in our everyday life, we live in constant hope that grace will carry us and propel us in our daily challenges. We celebrate God’s saving action in our personal pilgrimage of discovery, renewal and growth.
*** Benel de la Paz Lagua was previously EVP and chief development officer at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He is an active Finex member and an advocate of risk-based lending for SMEs. Today, he is an independent director in progressive banks and in some NGOs. The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as Finex.