45 Pilgrims from across Asia Participate in Sacred Pilgrimage through South Korea

A total of 45 pilgrims from eight Asian nations concluded a week-long spiritual journey through South Korea, tracing the history of the Korean Church and its martyrs.

The event, titled "Sacred Pilgrimage 2026" and held from June 7 to 14, 2026, was made possible through the collaboration of the Wake-Up International Youth Center and Fondacio Asia. The delegation brought together pilgrims from China, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The journey began at the Wake-Up International Youth Center, Haemi, western South Korea, where the pilgrims gathered under a shared faith. Grounded in the biblical invitation from John 1:39, "Come and See," the initial gathering featured country introductions and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, setting a reflective tone for the spiritual journey ahead.

Over the course of the week, the delegation traveled to major historical and religious sites across the country. At the historic walls of Haemi Castle, the Sanghongri Chapel, and the Haemi International Shrine, the pilgrims engaged in the Korean Martyrs Prayer and the Stations of the Cross. These moments allowed the participants to reflect on the sacrifices of the Korean Martyrs who maintained their faith during periods of persecution and suffering.

The itinerary also took the group to Solmoe and Mirinae, where the pilgrims followed the footsteps of St. Andrew Kim Daegeon, the young man whose faith and courage transformed the history of the Korean Church. The site visits prompted reflections among the pilgrims regarding holiness, focusing on the willingness to answer God's call regardless of age, status, or achievements.

Midway through the itinerary, the organizers designated an Integration Day for structured reflection. This allowed the pilgrims to gather and process how the people they met, the prayers they offered, and the historical testimonies they encountered had impacted them, reinforcing the theme that the journey was aimed at interior transformation.

The pilgrimage concluded with a transition from the sacred shrines to the streets of Seoul. As the 45 pilgrims prepared to return to their respective countries, the closing reflections emphasized that while the physical pilgrimage had ended, the participants were carrying home a renewed missionary spirit to continue sharing Christ within their local communities.