12th San Pedro Calungsod Mission Pilgrimage
November 29, 2023
On October 21, 2023, the annual San Pedro Calungsod Mission Pilgrimage was held at De Guia Academy of Magallanes in Cavite. The theme of the event was “San Pedro Calungsod: Modelo ng Misyonerong Batang DICES para sa sinodal na simbahan," and it was participated in by teachers and students who collaborated to do an immersion activity.
The Different Dices School traveled to Magallanes Elementary School at 8:00 in the morning. The event started with a traditional religious dance called Karakol. Then, Mr. Mark Joseph Mejia, the DGA-CVIO Coordinator, delivered a heartfelt speech for acceptance of rites, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and recital of the Vision and Mission of Dices School.
Rev. Fr. Jerry Belen, the DGA School Director, gave a message to welcome all the participants. This was followed by an animation number and interpretative dance performed by De Guia Academy of Magallanes Inc. to represent the life of Pedro Calungsod. Before going to the immersion area, Mr. Enrico Macaranas, the CVIO Coordinator, gave a heart-to-heart talk to every participant. Lastly, all the participants prepared themselves and all the things needed in the immersion area.
During the immersion period, each group visited a different family to have a short Bible Study Group (BSG) and Kumustahan. According to Batang Dices, every family was accommodating and welcoming to everyone. After the visitation of each household, the participants came back to Magallanes covered court to share their experiences during the visitation. At 2:15 in the afternoon, each participant transferred to Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish to attend the Eucharist celebration presided over by Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, the Bishop of Imus. This was followed by adoration led by Rev. Fr. Efren Araracap, the Parish Priest of Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish.
The 12th San Pedro Calungsod Mission Pilgrimage ended at 4:30 in the afternoon by announcing the next host for the 13th San Pedro Calungsod Mission, which will be held at St. Jude Parish. Furthermore, Mr. Armando Gallardo, the DGA Principal, delivered a message of thanksgiving to all the participants for offering their time and effort to make the event successful.
The school hopes that all the participants of Batang Dices had memorable mission experiences to be like San Pedro Calungsod not only on that day but in their everyday lives.