The 53rd Pilgrimage
of Faith to Chimpay
Homage to Blessed
Ceferino Namuncurá
The largest
pilgrimage of faith in Patagonia began on Friday with the arrival of the
pilgrims on horseback. After traveling many miles, they arrived at the Parque
Ceferiniano to bring their offerings, their greetings, and their prayers before
the traditional image that is venerated year round.
Religious, cultural,
and recreational activities continued on Saturday, the day of the liturgical
memorisl of the Blessed. The flow of pilgrims started very early in the
morning. As the day progressed, then, the number of pilgrims grew further, with
hundreds of people coming to greet Blessed Ceferino. There were celebrations
and baptisms, while in the evening there was a prayer by the fire, animated by
the Mapuche community. Saturday ended with a song to the earth by the
young people of the Chimpay sports center.
On Sunday the 27th,
the activities began with the first rays of the sun on the hill of the Fifth
Centennial Cross (on National Road 22), with Mapuche prayer and
supplication. At 9:00 a.m. the impressive group of people began the pilgrimage
to the Parque Ceferiniano, where they arrived after a two-hour walk. At 11 o’clock
the Mass began on an altar prepared outdoors.
The celebration was
presided over by the Salesian bishop of Viedma, Bishop Esteban Maria Laxague,
and concelebrated by Bishops Alejandro Pablo Benna (Alto Valle del Rio Negro)
and Juan Carlos Ares (San Carlos de Bariloche) and by priests from different
parts of the region and the country. Also concelebrating was the superior of
the province of South Argentina, Fr Dario Perera, together with several
Salesians from the communities in the area.
This demonstration
was, once again, a true proof that if you pray with faith, God works in people’s
lives.
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