Manila: The pilgrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is scheduled to visit the Philippines in June before its permanent installation at the Manila Cathedral. This visit is part of the 2026 Philippine Visit of the Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, launched in Manila on Wednesday. Organizers described the event as both a spiritual gathering and a moment of hope for the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, the launching event, which was held on the Feast of the Annunciation, saw participation from Church leaders and religious organizations, including Marian groups. Ernest Escaler, chair of the Guadalupe Pilgrimage Committee, elaborated on how the Philippine visit materialized through collaboration with Church leaders and partner institutions. He highlighted that this initiative marks the first pilgrimage of the image outside the Americas, following a previous visit to several states in the US.

Escaler underlined the importance of making the pilgrimage accessible to Catholics across the country, while spiritual director and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo reflected on the visit's significance for the Philippine church and nation. Bishop Bagaforo pointed out that the image is considered a second-class relic, akin to the original, making it a significant spiritual symbol for Filipino Catholics.

The image is set to tour over 40 cathedrals and shrines across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including a visit to the 132nd Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Plenary in Ozamiz City from July 3 to 10. Following its journey across the country, the image will return to Manila for its permanent installation at the Manila Cathedral.