Paramin pilgrimage – a Jubilee blessing

By Marleen Lord-Lewis, pilgrim

Therapy for the soul best describes the pilgrimage to Paramin hosted by The Catholic News on November 22. A warm welcome at the Anglican Chapel of Ease in Maraval, preceded the vibrant send-off to the several pilgrims who gathered that morning for mission.

After boarding our designated Maxi #3 of 7, the caring and sharing displayed by fellow pilgrims for each other was comforting. As we meandered through the hills of Paramin, the Joyful Mysteries filled our maxi in an atmosphere of contemplative prayer.

This pilgrimage promised, inter-alia, an experience of the Spirit of God present in the cultural array of Paramin, its food and drink, the hospitality of its people, its natural environment with breathtaking scenes of God’s creation.

From a personal perspective, this experience was indeed a Jubilee blessing. At the hilltop of Paramin, the clean air whispered the message to me that hope does not disappoint. When we immerse ourselves into the essence of God as present in nature, we do hear His voice and encounter healing of our soul.

CN’s pilgrimage took me home, back to drinking hot cocoa. As the maxis stopped for some hot cocoa, the happiness in the faces of fellow pilgrims equally matched the joy of service that exuded from Julia and her team.

The summit of our journey was the celebration of Holy Mass in the open air against the magnificent backdrop of the Northern Range. Fr Robert Christo, the celebrant, provided much food for thought encouraging pilgrims to RISE—Remember who you are, and where you came from; Invest in a life that lasts; Stand in the hope that evil cannot win; Enter the resurrected life, forgive, love.

As we were spiritually nourished with the Eucharist received under the canopy of the Paramin open skies, the presence of God was so real.

This pilgrim family then feasted on the much-anticipated Paramin lunch from Ms Sylvin and her team. We were not disappointed. The menu reflected the labour of love that went into preparing the meal of home-grown produce. With the sounds of Parang music from the local parranderos, we danced like David danced.

The maxis then set out to La Vigie look-out with its iconic leaning tree. Next was Our Lady of Guadalupe church with its unique sloping centre aisle leading to the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation. The uphill trek to exit the church was a sacred moment for me, having been armed with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As we gathered at the Cameron church for meditation, the feeling of gratitude filled my very being, as I pondered on God’s living presence in the people of Paramin, the maxi drivers so focused on road safety and eager to share the culture and the land alive with its natural bounty.

The Pilgrimage to Paramin was nothing short of therapy for my soul.