According to a statement from the government of the province of Luanda (GPL), to which VerAngola had access, this year's pilgrimage had as its motto "With Mary, Let Us Live in Faith the Year of Prayer".
The pilgrimage ended this Sunday, having brought together "more than 700 thousand faithful from different parts of the country".
According to the GPL, the archbishop of Huambo, Dom Zeferino Zeca Martins, presided over the closing mass, which was also attended by several entities, such as the Minister of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women, Ana Paula da Silva do Sacramento Neto, and the provincial governor of Luanda, Manuel Homem.
On the penultimate day of the pilgrimage, namely on Saturday, the Bishop of the Diocese of Porto, Manuel Linda, presided over the Eucharist for the pilgrimage of Our Lady of Muxima. According to the Diocese of Porto, during the homily, the bishop said that he was also a pilgrim.
"It is with moved eyes and a heart full of joy that I observe this immense crowd of pilgrims who have gathered to praise, thank and imitate the Virgin Mary. I am just one more who feels immense pleasure in joining you and becoming a pilgrim among the pilgrims of Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, whose title is not only the most venerated in Angola, but probably in all of Africa", he said.
In the homily – released by the Diocese of Porto and to which VerAngola had access – Manuel Linda also congratulated the authorities and asked them to never tire of "doing good": "Congratulations for what you do in the service of this enchanting people. Never tire of doing good. And be sure that, from that small corner that is Portugal, we have a special affection for this much appreciated and admired Angolan people, especially because we have a common history and this gift of understanding each other in the same language".
Greeting all the faithful gathered there, the bishop also called for world peace, adding that Our Lady "intercedes with Almighty God for the good of her children, for peace in this country and throughout the world, for the health of the sick and the frail, so that young people can achieve their dreams, so that children grow up healthy in body and soul, so that sinners can be converted, in short, so that this world of ours may already be a faint image of what the Kingdom of God will be in its fullness".
The sanctuary is 130 kilometres from Luanda and hosts an annual pilgrimage with several faithful.
