A seven-day visit was enough to create a great impression on pilgrims from the Diocese of Rockford who enjoyed Bogotá and its surroundings in March.

Father Johnson Lopez, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Rochelle and spiritual leader of the pilgrimage, led the group of five Americans and 11 people with Mexican roots, who were welcomed with open arms and the hospitality and kindness characteristic of the Colombian people.

“I love it, it’s beautiful. People are wonderful and the weather is fantastic and the food spectacular,” said Ken Mokry from St. Mary Parish in Woodstock, who traveled with his wife Linda.

The group not only enjoyed witnessing the deep fervor of  Colombia’s Catholic faithful but also the cultural, historic, gastronomic and scenic riches of the country.

Colombia, located in South America’s northwestern corner, is bathed by both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and is part of what ecologists call the largest lungs of the world: The Amazon rain forest.

Colombia is also home to the late Nobel Prize winner in literature, Gabriel García Márquez, who created the literary style of magical realism.

In the center of the capital, the group toured the emblematic Bolivar Square, where the reality of the country is reflected.

It is the headquarters for the national powers that rule in Colombia along with the Palace of Lievano — the administrative center for the mayor of Bogotá. The group was able to walk the square and view the House of Nariño, (office of the president), the Congress and the Palace of Justice.

But the power of God is also represented in the historical square. In fact, the tallest building there is the First Cathedral of Colombia, home to the archbishop. Although there has been separation of Church and State in Colombia since the 1991 constitution, the Catholic religion plays an important role in the society. According to a study from Colombia’s El Tiempo newspaper, more than 80 percent of the population is Catholic. More than 100 years ago the country was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The group toured on the cobblestone streets of La Candelaria in Bogotá’s downtown, framed with colonial style houses. Their walk included a coffee in Juan Valdes Café and a visit to the Fernando Botero Museum which houses the most important works of the greatest Latin American artist alive. Botero became famous for his paintings and sculptures featuring particulary large figures.

The visit also included  the historically rich churches, such as St. Francis, and the museum of St. Clare.
“Impressive,” said Patty Hernandez of Woodstock. “I like it so much. I would love to come back again. I never thought Colombia was like this. It has so many beautiful places.”

The pilgrims tasted much delicious food that included a lunch with Ajiaco (a soup made of chicken and a variety of potatoes of that region) and other typical dishes, as the pilgrimage continued to the Sanctuary of Divine Jesus (Divino Niño) in the south part of Bogota called 20 of July. There the pilgrims expressed their faith by offering a sacrifice or paying a promise to the miraculous Divine Child. Despite the extreme poverty of that area, some of the pilgrims went back a few days later to visit again and fulfil their promises.

“The trip-- It is wonderful, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Linda Mokry said.

Lofty on the top of the mountains surrounding Bogota, 15000 feet above sea level, sits the Basilica Sanctuary of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate, the custodian of the great metropolis. Father Johnson Lopez, spiritual leader of the pilgrimage, celebrated Mass in Spanish and English at the Basilica. The Mass became an extra powerful experience as pilgrims watched a devotee come forward to receive Communion, walking on his knees. No one knew how far the man had come but his tired and sweaty face showed signs of a long journey. That evening the ‘Canelazo’, a popular drink in Bogota, made with ‘panela’ (brown sugar), cinnamon and other ingredients, was an excuse for travelers to go up to La Calera, a small town on the mountains, (15 minutes away) to enjoy the astonishing skylight views.

Refreshed by the views of what is called the South American Athens at their feet, the nature of La Calera and the breeze blowing over the landscape, travelers were looking forward to the next part of the pilgrimage which would take them to the State of Boyacá and the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira.

In the outskirts of Bogotá

Travel to Boyacá was framed by picturesque charming landscapes and typical delights combination of cheese and ‘arequipe’, a type of milk caramel, which left everyone fascinated.

The tour continued to arrive on time for Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira, Patron and Queen of Colombia, where Father Lopez concelebrated. After a light lunch, the pilgrimage continued towards the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, wonder number one of Colombia and one of the new seven wonders of the modern world. Pilgrims were amazed with the majesty of the place 591 feet below ground where the sculptures were made in salt and the optical illusions were created with lights.

“This is so beautiful, we are having a great time, it really worth it. Come to know the Salt Cathedral” invited Reyna Palafox. “Marvelous, everything we have seen is worth it, this something new to us and it is worth it” added her husband Ruben Palafox, parishioners of St. Edward in Rockford.

Saturday of the pilgrimage was the day to visit the Gold Museum, a national monument, considered the largest of its kind in the world, with around 34,000 remains all made of gold, 20,000 pieces of precious stones, ceramics and textiles all of pre-Columbian indigenous cultures. The indigenous population today (in that country) corresponds to slightly more than three percent of Colombians.

On a sunny Sunday, joyful and ready to enjoy the last day of the journey, the pilgrims watched the calm and clear landscape of the North of the capital, while they moved to the other side of Bogota to learn the process of the most famous Colombian product in a coffee farm in Fusagasuga.

After Sunday Mass offered by Father Lopez in the chapel of the farm, they walked thru the place learning how coffee is made from the harvest until the process of toasting. From 220.5 pounds of coffee, only 29 pounds are available for consumption.

Travelors also received a quick training with their sense of smell to distinguish the quality of the coffee. They learned it is a very delicate process and why Colombia exports the best soft coffee in the world and were also able to taste a freshly made cup of coffee. Lunch in the corridors of the farm house was delightful while pilgrims enjoyed the placid breeze of the mild climate in the shade of the blossoming trees, precious plants and well-cared flowers in Ranch Coloma.

“It’s been so wonderful… and the food… you never go hungry here, everything (dish) is different. Monserrate is the most impressive … here if you smile someone they smile back at you. It’s an awesome city. It’s amazing how large it is” said Jenny Dwyer about her experience.

While Sharon Stein from South Beloit emphasized “ the trip has met my expectations; I mean, I expected to get both the culture and the religious aspects in a trip and we have definitely done both so they met if not excided; and I cannot believe how nice everybody is, the group as a whole get alone very well... It has been a really good trip.”

In addition to the spiritual and historical aspects of the journey, travelers also had the opportunity to explore shopping malls and restaurants of their preference.

“The pilgrimage was a success! I’m very grateful to the people who were part of it and that made it possible. I’m very satisfied with the work done,” concluded Father Lopez. There are already plans for the following pilgrimage early next year.