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Sequela Christi 2024

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Dec 16, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 16

It is Day 16 and we are at the final leg of the pilgrimage trip to Lisbon. I am enjoying myself and I am not ready to say goodbye to the memories I made with my fellow brothers and sisters along the way.

Reflection by: Marian Chow
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Dec 15, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 15

Day 15 was an eventful day filled with movement as we journeyed from one place to another with each stop offering its own experience. We started with a Mass celebration at the Parish Church of Fatima, with its own unique charm despite its simple design. We also visited the original graves of the three children who witnessed the Marian apparition of Our Lady of Fátima and their relatives. Though our time there was brief, it felt personally meaningful as I had the chance to do the scripture readings, which added a layer of connection to the whole place.

Reflection by: Nicole Chow
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Dec 14, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 14

Today was a very memorable day, let me tell you about it. We started the day with mass, at the Chapel of the Apparitions, where I had the privilege to do the mass readings. Standing at the ambo, I felt a sense of nervousness and honor. As an introvert, speaking in front of others is always a challenge, but I found a sense of peace in the significance of the moment. It felt meaningful, knowing that my voice was being used as a vessel for something greater.

Reflection by: Dominic Chua
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Dec 13, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 13

Today was a full day of travelling, which meant long bus rides and sore buttocks. We set off early for Fatima and stopped by a town called Porto for lunch. We were greeted with amazing views and had lunch by the water! I felt more like a tourist than a pilgrim… This thought reminded me of the reality of early pilgrimages, where pilgrims often faced the tension between spiritual intent and the practical realities of travel. In medieval times, they walked for weeks or months, enduring harsh weather, physical exhaustion, and sometimes sickness, all for the sake of drawing closer to God. Yet, along the way, they also encountered bustling towns, local markets, and cultural exchanges that must have felt more like a journey of discovery than purely a spiritual endeavor.

Reflection by: Timothy Wong
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Dec 12, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 12

After a long 5 hour drive from Salamanca, we finally reached Santiago de Compostela! Best known as the end point of the El Camino, millions of pilgrims frequently  embark on this pilgrimage during Holy Week right up to October. The Way of St James is one of the most significant Christian pilgrimages apart from those to Rome and the Holy Land. It encourages pilgrims to reflect on their spiritual journey and detach themselves from worldly desires and ambitions, while reconnecting with themselves and purpose in their lives. 

Reflection by: Christina
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Dec 11, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 11

Today, we attended Mass at the magnificent Salamanca Cathedral, located in the heart of western Spain. The gospel reading focused on how God’s burden is light, which resonated deeply with me. Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed at work, and I’ve come on this trip to find some spiritual peace and reflect on the challenges I’m facing. The message felt particularly relevant, offering a sense of comfort and encouragement in the midst of my struggles.🕊️

Reflection by: Magdeline
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Dec 10, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 10

Day 10 began with a chilly walk through the ancient streets of Avila, where we spent time in the Basilica of St Teresa, reflecting on her life and spiritual legacy, as well as the Avila Cathedral. When afternoon arrived, we gathered for lunch before continuing our journey to Arenas de San Pedro, where we celebrated Mass at the Royal Chapel of San Pedro de Alcantara and explored its serene sanctuary.

Reflection by: Nicole Chow
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Dec 9, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 9

It is Day 9 of our pilgrimage trip. We are heading to Segovia, known for its medieval architecture and rich history when it was once conquered by the Romans and Arabs. During our brief visit at the Alcázar of Segovia, I would never have imagined that I would get the opportunity to see King Felipe VI of Spain in person. Today marks the 550th anniversary of Queen Isabel of Castille’s inauguration in Segovia, making a significant impact on Queen Isabel’s legacy, whose influence marked both Spain and Europe.

Reflection by: Marian Chow
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Dec 8, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 8

Today was a memorable adventure in the town of Burgos. We left early, and the day started with a rainy 3 hour drive to Burgos, which added a sense of peace to the morning. When we reached Burgos, we were greeted with the Santa Maria Arch. Its architecture is awe-inspiring. The arch is embellished with statues of distinguished figures from the annals of Burgos and Castilla. We then headed for mass.

Reflection by: Dominic Chua
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Dec 7, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 7

Day 7 brought us to the Arantzazu Sanctuary, visited by St Ignatius in 1522 after his conversion and on his pilgrimage to Montserrat. Set in the heart of the Basque Country, this sanctuary is an important spiritual centre, as well as being one of the prime examples of contemporary Basque art. Strikingly, the 14 apostles (including St Barnabas and St Paul) are located at a lower section of the entrance to the Basilica, each apostle remains unidentifiable, an intended characteristic of the sculpture. The artist portrays the true meaning of apostleship, a humble messenger of Christ, solely focused on spreading the glory of God. In the other basilicas we have visited, the apostles are located high above with individual full-body sculptures, easily identifiable by name or design (e.g. St Peter with his keys). However, the artist seeks to remind us that the apostles were no different from us, as we are also called to be apostles of Christ in our own lives!

Reflection by: Timothy Wong
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Dec 6, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 6

Today is a special day—it’s my late brother’s birthday. He would have turned 21 today. Ambrose passed away last year. He had a condition called Muscular Dystrophy, which he was born with. This condition causes progressive muscle degeneration, and over time, it gradually affected all of his muscles. In spite of his limitations, Ambrose was always cheerful, always finding something to be happy about. He had a deep devotion to Mother Mary, and even through his discomfort and pain, he trusted that she would intercede for him and hold him through it all. His faith and positive outlook, despite life’s challenges, inspired me in so many ways. The way he lived out his faith drew me closer to Christ and Our Lady.

Reflection by: Perpetua
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Dec 5, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 5

Today, we started with Confession. Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood at first, but then a fellow pilgrim came up to me and said, "You should go. He'll only see you here. It's better than confessing to someone back home." That made me about 70% convinced. Later, I met another pilgrim and mentioned I was still unsure whether to go or not. He said, "If you're already thinking about it, you might as well go." So, I decided to give it a try. And I’m so glad I did. It was incredibly peaceful, and I felt such a sense of happiness and relief. I hadn’t planned on going to Confession, but it turned out to be one of the most serene moments of my day.💕 After that, we toured the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. It was an awe-inspiring experience. The church is massive and full of fascinating landmarks. The shrine where Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette was especially moving. I spent some time praying the Rosary, and the peace I felt was truly special. Overall, Lourdes has been unforgettable. It’s a place that will stay with me forever, and I even find myself wishing I could call it home one day. 🤍

Reflection by: Magdaline
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Dec 4, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 4

Day 4 began with a seven-hour long drive from the bustling city of Barcelona to the serene town of Lourdes, nestled within the Pyrenees mountains. The crisp, cool air of Lourdes quickly refreshed us, banishing the grogginess from the lone drive.

Reflection by: Nicole Chow
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Dec 3, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 3

It’s day 3 of the pilgrimage and I am excited for what is to come. To start the day, we visited the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Atonement on Tibidabo Hill. Although the visit was brief, the sculpture of St George, patron saint of Barcelona caught my attention. After learning about the legend that he killed a dragon to save the princess, that roses were grown from the dragon’s blood, it piques my interest that I start noticing St George cross motifs incorporated in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Atonement and Basilica of Montserrat to express their devotion to St George. Perhaps, these motifs might seem as seen as a way to express God’s love and tribute to St George.

Reflection by: Marian Chow
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Dec 2, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 2

“There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners,” said Antoni Gaudí, best known for the construction of the Sagrada Familia.

Reflection by: Dominic Chua
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Dec 1, 2024

Sequela Christi 2024 Day 1

It’s day 1 of the pilgrimage and I’m feeling excited! Upon landing, we were immediately greeted with local tapas delicacy. Having lunch surrounded by century old roman walls was an experience that felt surreal. It was as if history itself was welcoming us, whispering stories of ancient travelers who might have passed through these same walls centuries ago. The warm Mediterranean sun bathed the plaza, and the air buzzed with the lively chatter of locals and pilgrims alike.

Reflection by: Timothy Wong

 

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