October: the holy rosary

The story of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fatima, (Nossa Senhora de Fátima in Portuguese), has all these years inspired us to pray the Holy Rosary and seek peace. October is the month of Our Lady of Fatima and the mysteries of the holy rosary recall the important facets of the travails of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. The religious pilgrimage to Fatima brings tourists closer to the story of our Lady’s apparition to the three children, Lucia dos Santos and her two cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The holy place of apparition and the miracles invoke a sense of holiness and fervent faith.

In the recent Tourism Congress of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2019, guest speaker, former Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Mina Gabor, mentioned the new perspectives of enriching religious and farm tourism. She cited that if religious pilgrimages to Europe have become tourism itineraries, our tourism players could also promote the same in the Philippines. For instance, Cebu has the oldest churches and museums in the Philippines which could be promoted, especially during the Lenten season.

I requested Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR, University of San Jose –Recoletos (USJ-R) president, to share with me some memoirs of his recent Marian pilgrimage including Fatima. A meaningful respite from work, his trip to Fatima will add dimensions in making the tourism courses of USJR in step with global thrusts in religious tourism.

The photos on this page say more than a thousand words.

VISITS. Countryside religious pilgrimages in Cebu include visits to the St. Catherine Church in Carcar and the St.Michael the Archangel Church and Museum in Argao.

TOURS. Cebu City ‘s religious and museum tours bring tourists to the Basilica Minore de St.Niño and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral which include museum’s artifacts and relics.

COLORFUL STREET. The Cebu Tourism Commission is promoting anew the Heritage Tours. Commissioner Pinky Chang is shown beautifying Colon, the oldest street in the Philippines.

LOCATED IN SOUTH ROAD PROPERTIES. The Pedro Calungsod Church has become part of religious tours.

PRAYERS. Image of Our Lady of Fatima at the Chapel of Apparition at the Sanctuary. Visitors light candles to request for help and guidance. Fr. Maspara lighted two candles for Sonny and me.

TRIP. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR, University of San Jose –Recoletos (USJ-R) president during his Marian pilgrimage.

TREASURES. The priceless collections of the Sto. Niño are in the Sandiego Heritage house.