The Sojourn Lasallian Pilgrimage and Renewal Program was conceived in 2006 as a unifying activity for all Lasallian Schools in the Philippines in celebration of the 100th year of Lasallian presence in the Philippines. It was designed to deepen the spiritual experience of Lasallian Family members by a physical return to our Lasallian roots and was designed to facilitate an experience and provide spiritual and educational opportunities for deepening the Lasallian charism. At the end of every pilgrimage, pilgrims are returning home, feeling spiritually and culturally nourished and inspired.
Sojourn is a Lasallian pilgrimage to Western Europe, specifically to significant Lasallian places in France, Belgium, and Italy. The 20-day pilgrimage consists of visits to Lasallian pilgrimage sites, Masses, Lasallian prayer services, talks, personal sharing etc.
In 2015, the program was officially adopted by the De La Salle Philippines and the Sojourn Coordinating Team (SCT) was formed. In 2016, a Brother from Japan joined the Filipino pilgrims and wished that other Lasallians within the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) can also experience the same. On numerous occasions, Br. Manuel Pajarillo, FSC was invited to lead Lasallian pilgrims from Singapore and gave them the same spiritually nourishing experience.
In a renewal program of Brothers of the Pacific Asia Regional Conference (PARC) Region in July 2019, the idea came up of offering the Sojourn as well to PARC, as a component option for Brothers and partners in ongoing formation or renewal programs, much like the Lasallian pilgrimage is a component of the renewal programs offered by the Centro Internazionale Lasaliano (CIL) in Rome, Italy of which Br. Manuel Pajarillo, FSC was also a Director for several years. Thus, the Brother Councilor for PARC, Br. Ricardo Laguda, FSC has also endorsed the program to the Brothers and the entire Lasallian Family in the Pacific-Asia Region.
In November 2023, another group of Lasallian Pilgrims culminated their Sojourn at the Casa Generaliza where the Superior General, Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC convinced Br. Manuel R. Pajarillo, FSC to open the Sojourn program first to English-speaking countries and eventually develop a multi-lingual version for the rest of the countries where there is Lasallian presence. This is an attempt to bring together members of the Lasallian Family in a once in a lifetime spiritual journey.
For this Jubilee year, the Sojourn Lasallian Pilgrimage and Renewal Program is set for 15 October to 09 November 2025 (Autumn Batch). The program is open to all De La Salle Brothers, Partners, Alumni, and will involve reflective and prayerful visits to significant Lasallian sites in France, Belgium and Italy.
De La Salle Sojourn Lasallian Pilgrimage is a deep dive into the life and legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the first Brothers. Pilgrims embark on a path of prayer that traces significant locations in De La Salle’s life – Reims, Paris, Parmenie, and Rouen – each site steeped in history and culture and imbued with tradition and spiritual significance to the Founder’s Gospel itinerary. For pilgrims, every place represents milestones in De La Salle and his Brothers’ commitment to education for the poor and their revolutionary approach to education.
Please click the 2025 Itinerary button below for the specific details for the places to be visited.
Registration open
Brothers and Partners of the international community interested in participating in the Sojourn Lasallian Pilgrimage 2025 can register here: https://bit.ly/JoinSojourn2025.
The selection of pilgrims from this registry will start in mid-February or March 2025, with the approval of De La Salle Philippines.
