Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila celebrates Mass at the Badoc Basilica on Tuesday, Feb. 15. (Photo courtesy of CBCP News)
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — In a two-day pilgrimage in Ilocos Norte, Cardinal José Advincula of Manila said he felt “at home” in the Ilocandia as he paid respect and devotion to La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, the patroness of Ilocos Norte.
“I come here to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary and to thank all of you here for your devotion to Our Lady, and to encourage you to persevere in faith and devotion,” said Advincula during a thanksgiving Mass at the Badoc Basilica.
He said that his visit to Ilocandia last February 14-15 was a “way of remembering what the Lord has done in my life. I am at home in this place. I am at home in Ilocandia.”
Advincula, who was a formator and professor at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, the Regional Theological Seminary for Northern Luzon in Ilocos Sur province’s city of Vigan, took a moment to reminisce about his significant years in the Ilocandia in the past two days.
The pilgrimage was also marked by a visit to the Cathedral of St. William in Ilocos Norte’s capital city of Laoag where he prayed together with Bishop Renato Mayugba and the clergy.
Mayugba said during a dinner at the Episcopal Residence that Advincula has a “home” in Ilocos Norte.
Advincula also visited the UNESCO-world heritage church of San Agustin de Paoay where he was toured by the former Vicar General and priest-historian, Fr. Danny Laeda.
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