by Fr Mayank Parmar for BIS Mumbai

Sahayak Mata Parish, Kawant, organized a one-day pilgrimage for the faithful as part of the celebrations of the Jubilee Year 2025. The pilgrimage covered several spiritual and historical sites designated by the Diocese of Baroda as official Jubilee pilgrim centers and shrines.

A group of 19 pilgrims, including men, women, and religious, set out on the spiritual journey on the night of April 13, 2025, at 11:30 PM. Their first stop was Bardipada Parish, where they arrived early in the morning. Fr Mayank Parmar celebrated the Holy Eucharist and encouraged the faithful to receive the spiritual graces and indulgences available during this Jubilee Year. After the Mass, the group visited the Adivasi Cultural Museum, which beautifully displays the rich tribal heritage of the region.

The next stop was Mithi Dungri, where the pilgrims prayerfully walked through two Stations of the Cross. From there, they proceeded to Unai Parish, another significant Jubilee shrine. At Unai, the group prayed two more Stations of the Cross. Fr Francis SJ, the parish priest, blessed the pilgrims and imparted the indulgence blessings.

The journey continued to Vyara Mission, where the pilgrims prayed two additional Stations of the Cross, followed by a warm and hearty lunch hosted by Fr Jayant SJ, the parish priest. The next station was Jhankvav Mission, where Fr Manoj SJ welcomed the group and explained the architectural significance of the church.

The pilgrimage then moved to Katkuva Mission, known for its beautifully designed Stations of the Cross. Here, the faithful prayed three stations before heading to Korvi Mata Shrine and Dediyapada Mission, the final destinations. At the Korvi shrine, Fr Dalsukh Vasava prayed over the group, and at Dediyapada, Fr Rakesh, the parish priest, led the pilgrims in the final Station of the Cross and imparted his blessings. A simple yet delicious meal was served before the pilgrims began their journey back to Kawant.

The entire pilgrimage was deeply spiritual and enriching for all who participated. One of the pilgrims, Mr Michael, shared, “The pilgrimage was a faith-deepening experience.” Another participant, Ms Madhumalti, reflected, “The fruitfulness of the mission centers today is the result of the hard work and visionary efforts of the early missionaries who saw the potential for growth.”

The one-day pilgrimage not only offered the opportunity to gain spiritual indulgences but also helped the faithful reconnect with the roots of their faith and the living heritage of the Church in the region.