The First Year Development Program (FYDP) of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF) will mark 14 March 2015 as “Pilgrim’s Day”—the program’s own way of highlighting (and culminating) the university’s celebration of the bicentenary of the Restoration of the Society of Jesus (1814-2014). The university officially closed its bicentenary observance with a mass on 8 January 2015.
This “Pilgrim’s Day” celebration will commence with a “Pilgrim’s Walk for Peace” from 5:15 a.m. to 6:15 a.m. For this purpose, the FYDP students and guides will congregate at Roxas Gate for a community prayer, with special invocation to pray for peace in Mindanao. They will then pass by some of the major thoroughfares in the city and proceed directly to Ateneo Matina campus for a Holy Mass. While walking, they will sing Jesuit-inspired songs as they carry banners, placards and posters with messages and prayers about peace. The Eucharistic Celebration immediately following the early morning walk will be presided by Fr. Dan McNamara, SJ.
The second part of this celebration (dubbed as “Meeting with Other Pilgrims”) will kick off with an interfaith prayer at 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. to be led by chosen representatives from the Muslim, Lumad, Christian, and Buddhist faith.
A “Musikahan at Sayawan” will then follow thereafter, featuring a festive cultural music and dance expressing the unique art of Mindanaoans. The Teatro Humanidades and other local artists will be invited to share their musical and terpsichorean talents. In his portion, some FYDP volunteers will also be invited to participate. The entire Pilgrim’s Day celebration is expected to end at 9:00 a.m. (By Arrupe Comunications & Advocacy)