The sacred season of Lent is an invitation for Catholics to walk closer to Jesus as we reflect on the areas of our lives that have become routine, to recalibrate and reorientate our lives to His ways. More than 120 of our brothers and sisters from the Church of St Michael undertook not one, but two Caminamos walks over two Saturdays, and embraced both the physical challenge and the spiritual invitation to journey more deeply into Christ.
The first walk, held on 7 March, brought participants from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes to the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, with more than 20 completing the full route. Covering approximately 20 kilometres, this journey took inspiration from Mother Mary’s appearance to St Bernadette Soubirious in 1858, when she famously urged penance and prayer for sinners. Over six hours, participants reflected on the sorrow for their sins and the need for mercy, forgiveness and prayer for those who have wronged them. They also reflected on the sufferings of the Mother of Christ – the anxiety of being pregnant before marriage, the agony of losing Jesus in the Temple, the inconsolable pain of witnessing His arrest, torture and Him dying on the cross. Bearing moments of fatigue, long stretches of road, and the discomfort from the heat, the walk, for many, was symbolic of their commitment to leave behind what was comfortable and familiar as well as their resolve to persevere in difficulties. Through deep and guided reflections, participants journeyed inwardly as they allowed each step they undertook to open interior spaces for silence, repentance and renewal as they identified with the suffering of Mother Mary and experienced the closeness and comfort of Mother Mary in the challenging moments of their lives.
Elizabeth, a Neophyte who was baptised at Easter this year, shared, “I joined the walk to accompany a friend, but she pulled out at the last minute. Regardless, I went ahead as I wanted to give myself a chance to feel how Jesus suffered for us on His walk to the cross. At the last 6 km, I felt some discomfort but pushed on when I thought about how Jesus walked on with no food, no water, no rest and scourged by the flagrum, humiliated and naked! I’m really glad I committed to the walk, trusted in His plan and experienced the wonders of the graces and mercy that were showered upon me. I feel ever closer to God now!”
Participants at the second checkpoint: Church of the Holy Spirit
Joyful participants after completing the 20 km walk at Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea
Two weeks later, a longer walk took place from the Church of the Holy Cross to the Church of Divine Mercy. Spanning about 31 kilometres over 8.5 hours, this journey centred on encountering the love of Jesus from the Cross to the fount of divine mercy. About 65 adults and six children participated, with more than half, including all the children, completing the journey. Meditating on the cross through which Jesus obtained salvation in obedience to the Father, participants reflected deeply on the need to embrace their personal crosses in life and uniting them with the cross Jesus bore. In difficult moments, participants were reminded about the immense, steadfast and saving love Jesus poured out for us through the cross, showing us how to live as children of God our Father.
Participants gather for an opening prayer
before setting off on their 30 km journey
at Church of the Holy Cross
Participants described the second walk as both demanding and deeply humbling. “The final stretch of the walk when I experienced weariness in my hamstrings was humbling as I was reminded of how human I am despite my love for fitness. I hold Romans 5:3 – ‘we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance’ – close to my heart as a reminder that life is transformative through suffering,” shared Tanya, a parishioner who has just returned to Singapore for three weeks. “Walking alongside my personal cross and witnessing others meditating and sharing their burdens made me realise that despite our diverse lives, Christ’s saving power is ever present all around us. By paying close attention without judgement, we can soften our hearts to His love for His children.”
Tired but filled with joy: participants who finished the 30 km walk at the Church of Divine Mercy
Caminamos means ‘We Walk’ in Spanish. The two walks were a strong reminder to participants that they not only journeyed across distances, but more importantly, they were intentional steps in faith in embracing fatigue as a form of surrender, discomfort as participation in the Cross and perseverance as love made visible. More importantly, the walks reiterated the truth that faith is not lived alone and the need to journey as a body of Christ, supporting one another as a community on our pilgrim journey as we continue to draw closer to Christ.
Written by Jenny Ang