Happy Thursday, my fabulous friends! It's already afternoon and I just reached home.☀️
The Père Laval pilgrimage may have been celebrated on the 8th and 9th of September, but the pilgrims are still coming, day and night, and you can definitely feel it on the roads! So today, I’m moving like a turtle, and apparently my car has decided to join me. 🐢😂 At this rate, I’m not driving anymore, I’m slowly becoming part of the pilgrimage!
For those who may not know, Père Jacques-Désiré Laval was a French missionary who came to Mauritius from France in 1841. He devoted his life to helping the poor, caring for the sick, and serving the newly freed people of Mauritius. He became known as the “Apostle of Mauritius” and remains deeply loved by people across the island.
Père Laval was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1979 , and John Paul II later visited his tomb at Sainte-Croix in 1989.
And here’s another fascinating detail: his remains have never left Sainte-Croix since his death in 1864. They continue to rest in his tomb there, which remains an important place of pilgrimage.
So, while the roads may be moving at turtle speed, it’s actually quite special to see so many people still making their way to Sainte-Croix with faith and devotion. Some pilgrims walk for many kilometres from different corners of the island to reach Sainte-Croix, so when I’m complaining about moving at turtle speed in my car, I really have nothing to complain about! 🐢😂
As for me, I’ll just keep crawling along patiently. 🐢😂 By lunchtime, I have moved only a few kilometres!
Wishing all my fabulous friends a beautiful Thursday filled with patience, kindness, and good energy. ❤️