BCBP BULACAN NORTH CHAPTER (BNC) LENTEN

PILGRIMAGE 2019

Saint John Paul II explained,

“Pilgrimages, a sign of the condition of
the disciples of Christ in this world,
have always held an important place in
the life of Christians. In the course of
history, Christians have always walked
to celebrate their faith in places that
indicate a memory of the Lord or in
sites representing important moments in the history of the Church. They
have come to shrines honoring the Mother of God and to those that keep
the example of the saints alive. Their pilgrimage was a process of
conversion, a yearning for intimacy with God and a trusting plea for
their material needs. For the Church, pilgrimages, in all their multiple
aspects, have always been a gift of grace”. Included here are some
prayers that can be used while you are journeying TO MANASTERYO
DE TARLAC., when you arrive to a site, and on your return trip.. Keep
in mind that they can be prayed in the silence of your heart, with a
fellow pilgrim, or in a larger group.
It is recommended to begin your journey IN A PRAYER.

Prayer before a Pilgrimage

Lord Jesus Christ, we are setting foot today to a special place dedicated
to Your worship. As we travel to this holy site, send us Your angels to
keep us safe from any harm and tragedy that we may face along the
way. Help us to have a prayerful and peaceful disposition during the
entirety of our journey. Grant us a restful travel so that we may have the
energy to enthusiastically encounter and commune with You at our
destination, at the MONASTERYO DE TARLAC

Once we have reached our destination, open our hearts so that we

may experience wholly Your love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and
presence in that holy place. Inspire us to appreciate the significance of
the place in relation to our Catholic Christian faith, its beauty and
grandeur as an oblation to Your glory, and its solemn atmosphere as a
reflection of heavenly peace. Bestow upon us the appropriate
disposition for a devout prayer, deep reflection and meaningful
meditation, all in the pursuit of a profound communion with You.

If by any chance we be able to attend Holy Mass at the (the

MONASTERYO DE TARLAC), grant us the grace to fully participate
in it. Help us to be free from all forms of distractions that may impair
our full participation in the Mass which You Yourself has instituted.

Lord, may our visit to the (the MONASTERYO DE TARLAC) help us

to unburden all the pain and burden besetting us. Refresh our souls and
quench our thirst for Your grace at the site. Moreover, may the holy
place convey upon us Your healing power and Divine grace that would
allow us to face the world, once again after this pilgrimage, with
courage, determination, hope, faith, and love.

May you forever instill in our hearts that as Christians, we are in

constant pilgrimage in this world, that we are pilgrims working our way
to Your Heavenly Kingdom where You live and reign forever and ever.

AMEN.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, pray for us!

Pilgrim’s Prayer through Mary
We begin our prayer experience with Mary, the Blessed Mother who
guides us always in route to Her Son Jesus. This ancient pilgrim prayer
(origin unknown) has been used by pilgrims for decades to invite Mary,
our Mother, with us in pilgrimage.
O Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, we dedicate ourselves to your
service. We concentrate our minds, hearts, and bodies and promise to
work always for the glory of God and the salvation of man.
Protect the young and help the aged, save sinners and console the dying.
You are our hope, Mary, Mother of Mercy and Gate of Heaven.
Pray to your Son for us so that we may be filled with selfless charity
and deep faith. Ask Jesus for those things which we cannot obtain
through our own actions and help us in this our present necessity.
May we always see the Will of the Father of our lives. We ask you this,
sweet Spouse of the Spirit, so that we may come to your Son in grace.
Amen

Pilgrim’s Prayer of St. James, Patron of Pilgrim Travelers

St. James the Apostle is known as the patron of pilgrim travelers
because, during medieval times, his sanctuary in Santiago de
Compostela in northwestern Spain was one of the most traveled pilgrim
routes in Christendom (known through the centuries as the Camino de
Compostela). Whether on a journey to a distant shrine or to a local place
of veneration and importance, it is good to pray with St. James for his
protection during the journey and for our own conversion of heart
before, during, and after the encounter. St. James was also one of the
three disciples chosen by Christ to journey with him up Mount Tabor
for the Transfiguration; with this in mind, we pray with St. James that
we, too, might have a transformative experience on pilgrimage.
This ancient prayer (origin unknown) comes at the end of pilgrim
Masses said along the Camino de Santiago:
O God, who brought your servant Abraham
out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wandering across
the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in
the love of your name to insert your destination here.
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our home (albergue) on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements, And our strength in our
intentions.
So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound at the end of
the road and enriched with grace and virtue we return safely to our
homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Apostle Santiago, pray for us. Santa Maria, pray for us.

Throughout your journey, with these holy people in mind, consider

praying the Angelus (the prayer of Mary), the Rosary, the Divine Mercy
Chaplet, the Canticle of Mary, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Way of the Cross, Via Lucis, listening to or singing
catholic/Christian song, and receiving the Sacrament of Penance. See
the last section of this guide for full length prayers.
STATION OF THE CROSS REFER TO BOOKLET

Questions for Reflection

When you reach the destination of your local pilgrimage, consider the
following questions that you can pray with or think about.
 What is important or special to you about this particular pilgrimage
site?
 Why have you made this journey?
 What are your intentions for this pilgrimage?
 Do you have any hopes motivating you to go on this journey?
 What kinds of sacrifices have you made to be on pilgrimage?
 Are there habits, idols, or other areas of your life that you can offer
to the Lord as you make this pilgrimage?
 Who inspired you in your faith life? Who was your mentor? Who
introduced you to Christ, the Church, and/or your Catholic faith?
Think of these people as your spiritual companion on the journey
today. What do you imagine they would say to you at this moment
on your pilgrimage journey?
  What motivates you to keep active in your faith life?
 What Scripture passages do you return to often? Why those
passages?
 Is there a longing in your heart you wish to bring to the Lord
today? Something that seems so far off or impossible that you may
doubt that it could come to reality?
What to look for, what to notice…
As you journey, consider the following and take a moment to look at
and notice these things. We can quickly pass by them, but on
pilgrimage, we are challenged to stop and appreciate the little moments
on the journey. With each of these, take time to pray to God and express
gratitude. Also consider what emotions or thoughts you experience
when you notice these things:
 How do you feel as you journey from your home or starting point
to the destination?
 Are you excited, tired, uncertain, prayerful, indifferent, or anxious?
 Upon entering the pilgrimage site, what things do you initially
notice?
 Is your heart drawn to a particular area, icon, or statue?
 Be still in silence and consider four of the five senses as you enter
the space:
 What sights do you see? o What sounds do you hear? o What do
you smell?
 How does the space feel to the touch?
 Allow the Lord to enter the silence in your heart. What religious
experience in your past does this space remind you of?
 What imagery do you notice in this space?
 What Scripture passages are you reminded of in this space?
 What Catholic traditions, sacramentals, or prayers are you
reminded of in this space?
 How will you remember this space? Is there a particular image,
prayer, message, or person that you will use to commemorate this
experience?
Closing Prayers
In the story of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, the disciples wish to
remain with Christ in his glory a little bit longer (Peter says, “Lord, it is
good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here…,” Mt.
17:4). Instead, Jesus leads them back down the mountain. The same
applies to your pilgrimage. While it may be nice to remain in the space,
the time eventually comes to leave.

As you leave the space, consider the journey that is just beginning.
Perhaps The Lord has revealed the next stage of your life or given you
great clarification, or perhaps He is asking you to continue to listen and
pray. Whatever this pilgrimage leads you toward, continue to ask for
The Lord’s guidance and protection, and be open to your next
pilgrimage destination, in the world or in your heart. Pray an Our
Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and a petition to Peter, James, and
John to give us strength on the way down the mountain.

OPTIONAL/SUGGESTED PRAYERS

Prayer to Walk the Path of the Beatitudes

Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini, Archbishop of Turin
O Father, you gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting
Christ and of living his faith in the service of the poor and the sick;
through his intercession may we, too, walk the path of the beatitudes
and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the
Gospel in society. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Angelus (Prayer of Mary)
From the St. Joseph Pocket Prayer Book
V: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of
the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to you word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your grace into our
hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Your Son, was made
known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be
brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Magnificat (Canticle of Mary)

From the Liturgy of the Hours
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, For behold,
henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His
name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to
generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has
put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low
degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent
empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He
spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Optional Opening Prayers:
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the
ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world
and empty Yourself out upon us.
(Repeat 3 times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the
Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! Our Father,
Hail Mary and the Apostle's Creed
For each of the five decades (On each “Our Father” bead of the rosary,
pray)
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of
Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our
sins and those of the whole world.
(On each of the 10 “Hail Mary” beads, pray)
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the
whole world.
Concluding prayer (Repeat 3 times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
Optional Closing Prayer Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the
treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase
Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor
become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your
holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have
mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in God the Son,
heaven Redeemer of the
world
God the Holy Spirit Holy Trinity, one
 God Have mercy on
us.
Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary Holy Mother of God
Most honored of Pray for us.
Virgins Pray for us.
Pray for us. Mother of Christ
Mother of the Mother of divine
Church grace
Mother most pure Mother of chaste
love
Mother and virgin Sinless Mother
Dearest of mothers Model of
motherhood
Mother of good Mother of our
counsel Creator
Mother of our Savior Virgin most wise
Virgin rightly praised Virgin rightly
renowned
Virgin most powerful Virgin gentle in
mercy
Faithful Virgin Mirror of Justice
Throne of Wisdom Cause of our Joy
Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Shrine of the Spirit Glory of Israel
Vessel of selfless Mystical Rose
devotion
Tower of David Tower of Ivory
House of Gold Ark of the Covenant
Gate of Heaven Morning Star
Health of the sick Refuge of sinners
Comfort of the Help of Christians
troubled Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Queen of angels
Queen of patriarchs Queen of apostles
and prophets and martyrs
Queen of confessors Queen of all saints
and virgins
Queen conceived Queen assumed into
without original sin heaven
Queen of the rosary Queen of families
Queen of peace Pray for us.
Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Pray for us. Pray for us.
Lamb of God, you
take away the sins of
the world,
Lamb of God, you Lamb of God, you
take away the sins of take away the sins of
the world, the world, Have
 mercy on us.
Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, holy
Mother of God
That we may be
worthy of the
promises of Christ.

The leader invites the assembly to pray:

Loving God, you are our creator and the benevolent giver of life, give to
your people health in mind and body. Through the intercession of the
Virgin Mary free us from the sorrows of this life and lead us to
happiness in the life to come.
Grant this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with
you, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In whatever way you embark on a pilgrimage in anticipation FOR
LENTEN and using whatever prayers (whether from this guide or your
own) which are most appropriate and that fit the space, the key in all of
this is to make the journey itself an experience of prayer.

Ask the Lord’s guidance, through the intercession of the Blessed

Mother, Saint James, and all saints, that this place may inspire you to be
a person of great mercy and love, for “Blessed are the merciful, for they
shall receive mercy.” (Mt. 5:7).