The 3rd Asian Congress on Pilgrimages and Shrines was held in Nagasaki from October 15 to 17, with the theme "Pilgrimages and Shrines: Places of Hope." There were 97 participants from 16 different countries. The 1st Congress took place in Manila in 2003, and in 2005 it was held in Seoul. 
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People said that "pilgrimages and shrines can play an important role in instilling sentiments of hope and a confident wait." Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, PSS of Nagasaki pointed out that the Church "continues to make her pilgrimages to the various sanctuaries in order to show fellowship in faith and prayer, and to remind us that we are on journey towards the Lord." Thus, said Fr. Javier Gonzalez, OP of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, "having our faith and hope set in God allows us to find meaning and courage and even joy when we are confronted with things that we cannot fix."
The Congress made us hope for a better collaboration and even sharing of experiences as regards our own experiences. After the deepening of faith, or should I say hope, we visited different sites and museums in Nagasaki such as those of the 26 Martyrs, the Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the Oura Church which is now a national treasure, and the Peace Park.
Though the Congress made us busy, we still found time to laugh and pose for some Kodak moments. Now it's time to continue the journey...
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