Wednesday, July 9, 2025

A Popsicle and a Pilgrimage

 





Last week Gabriel and I were blessed to have a short rest from our mission post. Though not at all extravagant by any means, we took the 7 hour drive to the bustling city of Chiclayo, the former mission field of Bishop Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leon XIV.

Though we could not stay long due to the cost of being away from our mission post we were delighted to be in what we call civilization. Where there are paved roads, and almost 1st world comforts.

Our Idea was to go to daily mass at the cathedral of Santa Maria that once was the home to Pope Leon, and make our way to the site of a Eucharistic Miracle that has yet to be confirmed, and to visit a small out of the way town called Zana which is the home to an Augustine Convent which was built in 1569 as well as two other church ruins, one in which is where the former tomb of Saint Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo who was the Bishop of Lima. Saint Toribio died while he was at the Augustine Convent, and he is who confirmed Saint Rosa de Lima and Saint Martin de Porres. Some of his bones still remain in Zana, however, most have been taken to Lima and placed in a tomb there.

I recently read a report that Officials in Peru are now hoping that with Pope Leon XIV as the head of the Church that these sites will become an official pilgrimage that the faithful from all over the world will desire to make.  They are also hoping that now with the ties that Pope Leon has with Peru because of his many years serving in Peru will speed up the process of the approval of the Eucharistic Miracle that took place in the town of Eten during the 17th century. The dates of these miracles hold an even greater place in my heart as one took place on June 2 solemn celebration of Corpus Christi, and the other on July 22, the feast day of Santa Maria Magdalena.

Here is a link to miracles if you want to know more about them.

Will Leo XIV soon approve the Eucharistic miracle of Eten?
https://aleteia.org/.../will-leo-xiv-soon-approve-the.../
and
https://www.aciprensa.com/.../reconstruyen-digitalmente...

But I think the best part of our little trip is when we noticed the ice cream vendors selling Pope Leon XIV popsicles. I mean just how many popes have had an ice cream made of them!!!!!!

I would like to extend an offer to anyone who would like to make this pilgrimage, we would be happy to help you make this a reality. We are willing to travel with you to these sites, or we can just help coordinate the arrangements for you. 






Above Iglesia Merced Built in 1600's











Above pictures Augustine Convent which was built in 1569



Above La Iglesia San Francisco built in 1585-1590









Above Eucharistic Miracle of Eten Chapel








Inspired by the Peruvian heart of Pope Leon XIV. A popsicle that not only sweetens but embraces




         Just how many Popes have had their very own Popsicle?