Each person—and all of us collectively—has memorable dates in our lives: some are connected to our own personal history, while others are linked to events that, because of their significance, become especially important. Some celebrate the gift of present life; others commemorate events that have left a lasting mark on history.
Thus, every year the month of July brings great activity to the Apostolic Vicariate of Aguarico as the anniversary of the offering of the lives of our brothers, Bishop Alejandro Labaka and Sister Inés Arango, is commemorated. Months in advance, a committee is responsible for organizing and promoting various activities that allow people to draw closer to the lives and witness of these two missionaries, now recognized as Venerables by the Universal Church. Among all these initiatives, one stands out as particularly meaningful and widely attended: the in-person and virtual pilgrimage walk that begins every July 9.
I grew up in the Amazon. I treasure, both intellectually and emotionally, the memories of the pristine rainforest, with its untouched flora and fauna. I have also witnessed the transformation of this region of our country. Signs of progress are evident, but so too are unmistakable signs of harm inflicted upon life in all its forms. Within this context, the pilgrimage from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, to the cathedral of Coca, where the remains of Alejandro and Inés rest, is profoundly innovative and prophetic.
It is an experience of faith because it involves prayer, contemplation, and conversion. It is a fraternal experience because those who take part become a community journeying together; even without having known one another beforehand, they recognize each other as brothers and sisters. Along the way, they continually receive gestures of welcome, inclusion, and solidarity. It is also a prophetic experience because walking awakens an awareness of the reality of the destruction of creation and the grave consequences this has for human life. Their songs, slogans, and messages proclaim Jesus Christ and His Gospel while at the same time denouncing the destructive power of evil, both personal and social.
I have had the opportunity to take part in the beginning of the pilgrimage, during the Eucharistic celebration in which the pilgrims are commissioned for their journey. Words cannot fully express what is experienced there, but I can describe it as a foundational experience. At the feet of Our Lady, in the Shrine of Guápulo, many people gather from places both near and far. They arrive filled with enthusiasm, generosity, and carrying everything they need to set out on the journey.
Everything is prepared: the church remains open; the liturgical arrangements are carefully organized to lend solemnity to the celebration; the different teams take their places; and before the altar, the symbols speak for themselves about the lives and legacy of the missionaries Alejandro and Inés. Banners display this year’s motto: «With Alejandro and Inés, we are witnesses to justice and peace.»
Little by little, encounters multiply: embraces, greetings, smiles, and faces radiant with joy. Words filled with hope, expectation, uncertainty, determination, and trust are exchanged among the participants.
The Eucharist, the center of our faith and the celebration of the Christian family, is lived with profound devotion and the active participation of everyone. The homily recalls the meaning of the commemoration, while the various reflections invite all present to contemplate Alejandro and Inés as authentic witnesses to the love of Christ. Finally, the moment of the commissioning arrives, accompanied by the blessing and the practical recommendations necessary for the journey.
And so, the pilgrims set out. Their journey begins. At the farewell remain the good wishes and embraces that will be renewed when they arrive in Coca. There, before the tombs of our brothers and sisters, those embraces will mingle with tears of gratitude to God—the finest way of saying: «Thank You for everything we have experienced and for everyone who has made it possible!»
Above all, thank You for giving us Alejandro and Inés, brothers and sisters who, like a guiding light, illuminate the journey of the Church. To them we entrust ourselves, asking them to intercede for the needs of us all.
Hna. Bilma Freire Chamorro.