Brother Mawel Pajarillo, a Filipino Brother, recently accompanied a group of Lasallians, Lay Partners and Brothers, on a visit to the Generalate in Rome. Among them were Qumar Iqbal, from La Salle Multan, Pakistan, and Aloysius Hurrel, from La Salle Faislabad, Australia, the only non-Filipinos in this group.
“The Roman destination is part of a pilgrimage project, started in 2007, called Sojourn Lasallian Pilgrimage. This project initially envisaged a five-year plan of 100 pilgrims for 100 years of Lasallian presence in the Philippines (in 2011). But the experience was so much enjoyed and participated in,” says Brother Mawel, “that it continues to this day, a full 16 years later”.
The travel programme includes visits to at least four key places in the life of De La Salle and the first Brothers: Reims, Paris, Parmenie and Rouen. “To these original sites,” reveals Br. Mawel, “were also added visits to the places of worship of St. Mutien-Marie Wiaux in Malonne, Belgium, St. Benildo Romançon in Saugues, France, and St. Solomon in Paris.
“The itinerary,” adds Brother Mawel, “also includes a visit to Liesse, where the Brothers went on pilgrimage, but also to Lourdes and the cathedrals of Reims, Chartres, Amiens, Orleans and Paris, all dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whom De La Salle had a special devotion. The last stop of the journey was the Generalate, in Rome’.
To date, this type of pilgrimage, which started in the Philippines, has successively also involved the LEAD District, of which the Philippines is currently a part, and the entire PARC Region.
“Considering the success of this initiative, Br Armin, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools,” says Br Mawel, “suggested, in dialogue with us during the group’s stay in Rome, that it should also be opened up to the rest of the international Lasallian Family. We hope that this will soon be made possible”.