To culminate the 3-day visit of the Madre Peregrina de México, Cebu Archbishop-Emeritus Jose Palma presided over the Send-Off Mass at the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu.

He was joined by the parish team of pastors led by Fr. Joselito Danao, and other visiting priests.

The Mass coincided with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, instituted by Pope Francis, where Archbishop-Emeritus Palma emphasized our moral responsibility as stewards of God’s creation.

“While it is true that the Philippines has experienced various calamities, it is unfair to blame everything on God, as many of these are due to human factors,” said Archbishop-Emeritus Palma.

“Mga hinigugma, I just mentioned this to make us aware of how we treat the environment. Our actions have consequences in our lives. Every tree we plant is an investment in the future,” he added.

The Eucharistic celebration was followed by the solemn Send-Off Rites, honoring our Blessed Mother’s maternal presence as her pilgrimage continues across the country.

As a Pueblo Amante de Maria, this nationwide journey forms part of the global Novena Intercontinental Guadalupana (2025–2031) in preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Our Lady of Guadalupe apparitions in Mexico.

The celebration was made even more meaningful as Auxiliary Bishop Francisco Javier Acero of Mexico, on behalf of Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, sent a heartfelt message of gratitude for the warm reception and success of the Madre Peregrina de México’s pilgrimage in the Archdiocese.

Following her stay in the Archdiocese of Cebu, the pilgrim image shall proceed to her next destination, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Assumption in the Diocese of Maasin.