2025 Jubilee: Shendam Diocese Pilgrimage

On April 11, 2025, approximately 4,500 individuals participated in a Diocesan Pilgrimage in the Shendam Diocese, Nigeria. 

The Children's Rosary was an integral part of the day. One hundred and fifty children who are part of the Children's Rosary met at 6:00 a.m. to make the 3 hour trip by vehicle. After the trip by vehicle, there was more of a journey to be made on foot to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Pilgrimage Centre.

The walk up to the center began at 10:00 a.m., and the children did not return until 6:00 p.m. With temperatures reaching 39° C (102° F), it was quite a hot day but also one filled with great joy. Bishop Philip Dung, pictured directly below, was most welcoming to the members of the Children's Rosary.

We received this wonderful report from the event:

In line with the declaration of Pope Francis which beckons the faithful of Christ to renew their hope through visiting a designated Church/pilgrimage centre (attached with a plenary indulgence), the Diocese of Shendam had her celebration today.

It was a marvellous sight at Our Lady of Perpetual Help pilgrimage centre Kwanoeng in Quanpan Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria as the entire people of God came out en masse to celebrate the Diocesan Jubilee year of hope.

It was a day that the whole Diocese fasted and prayed together as a family including the Bishop, Priests, religious, and the entire faithful- men women, and children alike.

The event started with a meditative walk round the mountain led by the Bishop Most Rev Dr. Philip Davou Dung while the Children's Rosary group, Holy Childhood Association, Young Missionaries Movement, followed in that order of the procession. Also, the different Deaneries were stationed accordingly for the mountain tour. With each participant having a wooden cross, the jubilee flag, and a rosary, the mountain was rounded. 

Then came the penitential service led by Fr. Paul Miapkwap. Since it is a day of prayer and penance, the Eucharistic Adoration/recitation of the Rosary was done simultaneously with Confession.

After the penitential service we had Adoration and Confessions; during the Confessions the Children's Rosary group let the people with the Rosary. (Pictures of the Children's Rosary leading the Rosary are below)

May God answer our supplications, and grant healing to our land through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

We had three groups of the Children's Rosary that participated actively at the Diocesan Rally; they are:

The Children's Rosary group of Sacred Heart Cathedral Shendam.  

The Children's Rosary group of St John Bosco Parish Namu.

The Children's Rosary Group of St. Augustine Parish Zomo.