After years of suspension due to various difficult circumstances, the annual pilgrimage and prayer gathering at Alam Holy Cross Hill in the Diocese of Myitkyina resumed this year, drawing more than 1,000 faithful for a special Holy Mass on Monday, September 14, 2026.

His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo presided over the Eucharistic celebration at Alam Holy Cross Hill at 11:00 a.m., as pilgrims gathered in prayer and brought before the Cross their personal struggles, hopes, and intentions for their families and the country.

‘The Cross Carries Our Sorrows’

In his homily, Myanmar Cardinal reflected on the Cross of Christ as a source of hope and consolation, particularly for people suffering amid war, hardship, injustice, and uncertainty.

“The Cross carries our sorrows and the suffering caused by war, while Jesus gives us joy and hope,” Cardinal Bo said. “God loved humanity so much that He gave His Son for us.”

He encouraged the faithful to bring their wounds, struggles, and suffering to Jesus on the Cross and to place their trust in Him.

“In our lives, we experience many difficulties, injustices, wars, and painful situations,” he said. “Today, let us tell Jesus on the Cross about all our pain and suffering.”

A Special Message to Young People

Cardinal Bo also addressed young people, encouraging them not to allow the hardships of the present situation to determine their future.

“Dear young people, the difficulties, poverty, and many other problems you are experiencing today cannot determine your future,” he said.

He reminded them that they have an important role to play in building the future of the country and in the life of the Church.

“You are the young people who will build a new Myanmar,” he said, emphasizing that young people are also among the most important members of the Church and encouraging them to remain hopeful despite the challenges surrounding them.

Pilgrims Bring Their Prayers to the Cross

Among the more than 1,000 pilgrims was Daw Ning, who climbed Alam Holy Cross Hill with special intentions for her family.

“I came to pray for my daughter to pass her examination and for our family to have a home,” she said.

Another pilgrim, Cecilia Char Nu, said she made the pilgrimage to pray particularly for the health of her family.

“I climbed the Holy Cross Hill to pray for the health of my family, especially for my father and mother,” she said.

U Hki Zaw also joined the pilgrimage with prayers for the well-being of his family and children.

“I came to pray that my family may remain healthy, that we may have what we need for our daily life, and that our sons and daughters may grow up listening to and respecting their parents,” he said.

The testimonies of the pilgrims reflected the spirit of the gathering, as families and individuals brought their everyday concerns—from health and education to housing and livelihood—to the foot of the Cross.

A Pilgrimage Tradition Dating Back to 1983

Alam Holy Cross Hill is located within Alam Parish in the Diocese of Myitkyina. The Holy Cross Hill was established in 1983 under the leadership of Fr. Paul Lasang La and became a place of prayer and pilgrimage for the local Catholic faithful.

The annual prayer gathering, however, had been suspended in recent years because of various difficult circumstances affecting the region. Its return in 2026 therefore marked a significant moment for the local Catholic community, allowing the faithful to gather once again around the Cross in prayer, faith, and hope.

Alam Parish is currently under the pastoral care of Fr. Paul Kawa Tu Mai.

The resumption of the pilgrimage offered the faithful an opportunity not only to present their personal intentions but also to pray together for peace, healing, and a hopeful future amid the continuing challenges faced by families and communities in Myanmar.

By RVA Lisu Service