What is a pilgrim?

Pronunciation: \pil-grəm\

Function: noun

Etymology:Middle English, from Anglo-French pelerin, pilegrin, from Late Latin pelegrinus, alteration of Latin peregrinus foreigner, from peregrinus, adjective, foreign, from peregri abroad, from per through + agr-, ager land — more at for, acre

Date: 13th century

1:one who journeys in foreign lands :wayfarer

2:one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee

3: capitalized :one of the English colonists settling at Plymouth in 1620

From: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilgrim

What is a pilgrimage?

Pronunciation: \pil-grə-mij\

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1:a journey of a pilgrim; especially :one to a shrine or a sacred place

2:the course of life on earth

From: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilgrimage

April 2, 2008 I become a pilgrim and I did a pilgrimage. In all the places that I've been where people would visit a place to worship,it was in Simala,Sibonga a town in Cebu Philippines were they called their visitors a pilgrim. I know there are also places like this somehere else but for me it was my first time to experience this. As a fanatic of the word “pilgrim” it was in this place that my high school dream of being called a pilgrim and doing a pilgrimage really happened.

I was not really expecting a lot when we were just on the way to the place. Although I've heard stories about miracles and how Mama Mary would help people specially students or professionals who will be taking their board exam. The only thing on my mind while we were on our way was to give thanks to the Lord specially Mama Mary because my Mom went there when I was also about to take my board exam last November 2007 and also to accompany our friend who is also about to take his board exam come april 2008. I did pass our board exam and it was then my time to visit the place and give thanks personally. When we entered the place at around 8am I was just feeling calm and enjoy seeing the pilgrims doing their pilgrimage. Then came the wishing bell, I was observing people throwing their coins a couple of times before hitting the right spot. I was thinking what will happen if it's my turn to throw my coin in the wishing bell. Because for me, throwing or tossing the coin a couple of times before hitting the target was not that good compared to just tossing it once. My turn came and I did hit the target once as well my mother and our friend. My cousin did it twice but still for me it was a good trial. When I hit the target the only thing that popped out of my mind was to thank God. For whatever reason I was indeed happy that I just did it once.

Then we walk straight up to the church. Before entering the church I saw pilgrims writing their petitions in a piece of paper. It was my first time to experience that and I was amazed by what was happening. My companions went on the write their petitions. While waiting I was observing and was busy reading signs inside the place and came across the writings about the meaning of the color of the candles. Usually I light 5 candles in churches but then knowing the meaning of the colors I was thinking that I wanted to light all those colors. My companions were done with their petitions and it was my time to write. At first I was not sure what to write at first because I just went there to praise God. Knowing that the paper would not be filled what I did was just write what I ought to write.

After that we went inside the church. And again I was on my usual state and not taking things seriously. After lighting two candle a black/gray and blue I noticed that what were displayed all over the place was the different images of Mama Mary. It was in this time that I was able to see and know what were the different versions of Mama Mary are. Then we lined up to touch Mama Mary where Her fragrance still I can remember while writing this. After visting the place we exited and while on our way walking I saw the petitions and the memorable things that were associated when Mama Mary was doing a miracle. The next place on the journey inside was to line up to use the viel that Mama Mary used when she cried in the year 1998(not so sure if its '98 or '99). but before our turn I saw lots of letters for Mama Mary thanking her for the blessings that she gave them. I did not find time to read the letters because there were lots of them. I just remebered when I saw the letters that I was very blessed that I was able to pass my board exam without me going there personally. Then it was almost our turn to use the viel, I was thinking what to asked because I just went to praise Mama Mary and God. But as humans I did asked some favors hoping that She together with Her Son would help me again.

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