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Rome, Italy – August 2025 – A group of Filipino devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag in Vienna, led by the Association of Pangasinenses in Austria, are in Rome this week as “Pilgrims of Hope” for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage, which gathers faithful from around the world, is part of the universal Church’s celebration of the Jubilee of Hope, a year dedicated to spiritual renewal, prayer, and solidarity among Catholics.
Centered on Marian Devotion
For the Filipino community in Austria, devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag has been a cornerstone of their faith. Known as the “Patroness of the Holy Rosary” and deeply venerated in Pangasinan and across the Philippines, Our Lady of Manaoag represents faith, resilience, and hope for Filipinos at home and abroad.
During their stay in Rome, the group has dedicated most of their prayer activities to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four major papal basilicas and a key site for Marian devotion. Here, they gather for Eucharistic celebrations, communal prayers, and moments of reflection in unity with pilgrims from different nations.
Guided by Faith
The pilgrims are accompanied by Fr. Alvin Santillan, who serves as their spiritual director. He leads them in liturgies and reflections, ensuring that the journey is not only a physical pilgrimage but also a profound spiritual experience.
“This pilgrimage is a way for us to bring our devotion to Our Lady of Manaoag into the heart of the Catholic Church,” Fr. Santillan shared. “We carry with us the hopes and prayers of our community in Austria, and we unite them with the prayers of the universal Church.”
Filipino Faith on a Global Stage
The participation of the Filipino Catholic community in Austria highlights their vibrant faith and active role in the life of the global Church. For many, the pilgrimage is both a personal renewal and a collective witness of hope, echoing the Jubilee’s central theme.
The Jubilee 2025, proclaimed by Pope Francis, invites all Catholics to embrace the message of hope amid the challenges of the modern world. It is a call for unity, reconciliation, and rediscovery of faith through prayer, works of charity, and pilgrimage.
A Journey of Hope
As the Filipino devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag in Vienna continue their pilgrimage in Rome, they embody the spirit of being “Pilgrims of Hope”—carrying with them the prayers of their homeland, their families, and their community abroad. Their presence in Rome serves as a testament to the enduring strength of Filipino Catholic devotion and its deep connection to the wider Church.
- Hector Pascua/pictures: Mandy Salonga
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