Holy Week 2024: Around 7.4 million people join pilgrimage in Antipolo

Pilgrims flock to Antipolo Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024,  in observance of a Holy Week tradition. (Photo from the Antipolo Cathedral’s facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — Some 7.4 million pilgrims joined the “Alay Lakad” or the religious pilgrimage to Antipolo Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, which is more than a million bigger than last year’s total.

These pilgrims took part on the long uphill walk to the Cathedral with the belief that they are sharing in Jesus’ suffering during his Passion.

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“This pilgrimage serves as a sign to express their steadfast faith and devotion while following the footsteps of the Lord,” the Quiapo Cathedral said in a Facebook post in Filipino.

The Antipolo church management said the celebration had been peaceful and orderly.

In 2023, around six million pilgrims went to Antipolo Cathedral after being suspended for two years due to COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: Group urges Antipolo pilgrimage participants to avoid littering

Part of the Holy Week celebrations, Alay Lakad is a mixture of two Filipino words “alay” which means ‘offering’, and “lakad” or “to walk.”

Holy Week is the most solemn period in the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar when Christians commemorate the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ over 2,000 years ago.