Magellan’s Cross starts pilgrimage

Fr. Expedito Torrevillas (left) watches as Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma peeps into the miniature Magellan’s Cross, the official symbol of the International Eucharistic Congress after the IEC forum at the Mariner’s Court. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

A miniature model of Magellan’s Cross, which symbolizes the Christianization of the Philippines in 1521, yesterday embarked on a pilgrimage to various parishes in Cebu.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma blessed the miniature model of the Magellan’s Cross at the end of the Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress held at the Mariner’s Court in Cebu City yesterday.

The IEC symbol was then brought to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where it will stay until Oct. 29.

Later on, it will be transported to the different parishes in Cebu, including the Camotes Group of Islands and Bantayan Island and then to  parishes across the country.

Visit of God
The journey is aimed at raising awareness and interest in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) which will be held in Cebu City on Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.

The Cross of Magellan, a chosen symbol of the international gathering in 2016, recalled the planting of the Cross in the Philippines and the birth of the Christian faith in the archipelago and in Asia.

The national pilgrimage starts in January to November 2015.

Accompanying the IEC symbol are the images of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, St. Joseph, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and San Pedro Calungsod.

“When this IEC symbol comes to your respective parishes, know that it is no less than God who visits to you. It is a visit of God Himself. And the Lord’s visit brings about blessings,” Palma told about the faithful that gathered during the archdiocesan congress yesterday.

“The pilgrimage of this IEC symbol reminds us of a God who wants to be with His people. Despite many concerns in life, we should feel privileged to be visited by God through this IEC symbol,” the prelate said.

Symbol
Palma, the president of the 51st IEC, also commissioned members of the team who will accompany the Cross of Magellan in its pilgrimage to the parishes.

Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, IEC 2016 secretary-general, earlier said the Cross of Magellan was chosen as symbol of the international gathering since it depicts the Christianization of the Philippines in 1521.

Villarojo said the shrine that contains the Cross of Magellan symbolizes the Church—the  mystical Body of Christ.

He said the Cross of Magellan symbolizes the call to mission to all Gentiles.

The pilgrimage of the Magellan’s Cross is under the supervision of the IEC Committee on Symbol led by Fr. Charles Jayme who served as custodian of the image of St. Pedro Calungsod in 2012.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI earlier chose Cebu City as the venue for the 51st IEC.