Pilgrims walk 33 kilometers for Christian unity

By George Kommattam

Kozhikode, March 27, 2026: Hundreds of Catholics from St. Antony’s Forane Church in Kozhikode walked 33 kilometers across the city visiting 14 churches in a powerful overnight Way of the Cross pilgrimage for unity and renewal.

Carrying crosses and rosaries, parishioners from the church in Paroppady locality in Kozhikode set out March 27 on foot after Mass, walking in prayer and reflection. Each stop outside the 14 churches marked a station of the Cross, symbolizing Christ’s passion while fostering fraternity among diverse Christian communities.

Parish priest Father Simon Kizhakkekunnel said the initiative was rooted in concern for the changing realities of Christian life in Kerala. “This pilgrimage was our parish’s offering for Christian empowerment,” he said. “Our community roots are slowly weakening. Once we were a strong public presence, but today migration of youth to other countries and social changes are affecting community life. Through prayer, we seek renewal.”

Assistant parish priest Father Geo Sunny Kadukanmakkel, who coordinated the event, emphasized the spiritual mission behind the walk. “Empowerment begins with prayer,” he said. “We wanted our faithful to journey physically, make sacrifices, and spiritually intercede for all Christians. Walking together strengthened our parish community while reminding us that the Church’s mission extends beyond its own walls.”

The pilgrimage, which lasted nearly eight hours, concluded with a thanksgiving Mass. Organizers noted that Father Kadukanmakkel’s earlier long-distance pilgrimage to Malayattoor Kurisumudi inspired the concept of extended prayer walks uniting bodily effort with spiritual renewal. Malayattoor Kurisumudi, a renowned Christian pilgrimage hill in Malayattoor village of Kerala’s Ernakulam district, is closely linked to St. Thomas the Apostle and draws thousands of pilgrims each year, especially during Lent.

Participants for this pilgrimage described the experience as transformative. Biju Vadakara said, “Walking such a long distance helped us reflect more deeply on Christ’s suffering. Each church we visited reminded us that, despite differences, all Christians follow the same Lord.”

Another pilgrim, George Vattukulam, highlighted the sense of unity fostered by the event. “We may worship separately, but we share the same foundation of faith,” he said. “Standing before each church and praying for unity was a powerful experience.”

For Sherry Kuthukallel, a school teacher, the walk reinforced both personal faith and parish solidarity. “When an entire parish walks together in prayer, faith becomes stronger,” she said. “This journey renewed our commitment to live as witnesses of hope.”

Parish trustee Dixon Purathukaran added that the pilgrimage offered a visible witness of respect among Christians. “It encouraged deeper renewal within our Catholic faithful while showing peaceful fraternity with other traditions,” he said.

As the procession moved through neighborhoods, residents watched pilgrims walking prayerfully with crosses and rosaries, transforming ordinary streets into spaces of devotion. Organizers expressed hope that the initiative will become an annual Lenten practice, helping believers rediscover the values of sacrifice, prayer, and unity.