The Macao Catholic Culture Association is promoting a walking pilgrimage route entitled “Pilgrims of Hope: Macau Sacred Relics Pilgrimage” as part of the celebrations of the Jubilee Year. The duration of the pilgrimage is from 16 June to 31 August.
Some Catholic Scouts of The Scout Association of Macau participated the pilgrimage on 19th July 2025, and visited the following Local Catholic Churches on foot for veneration of the relics; these churches were all inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and playing an important part among the Historic Centre of Macao.
St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church
(Sacred Relic: St Francis Xavier)
St. Lawrence’s Church
(Sacred Relic: St. Lawrence)
St. Anthony’s Church
(Sacred Relics: St. Andrew Kim and St. Magdalene of Canossa)
Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady
(Sacred Relics: Relic of the True Cross｜St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles; and other Saints｜ St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto)
While visited each church, the pilgrims could collect the official pilgrimage stamp to put on the Pilgrimage Passport. All our Catholic Scout participants were able to complete the 4 designed locations; each of them could obtain one complementary copy of the publication “Pilgrims of Hope: The Lives of One Hundred Saints”.
St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church
One of the designated Jubilee pilgrimage sites of the Diocese of Macao.
St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church was officially established on February 23, 1728. It is renowned for its rich Baroque architectural style and its heritage-classical stone staircase; the church, being the second largest after the Ruins of St. Paul’s, is also called the “Small São Paulo” by the locals.
St. Lawrence’s Church
St. Lawrence Church is one of the most ancient and historical churches in Macao. Dedicated to St. Lawrence as Patron Saint, it was built by the Jesuits before 1560. Initially, the church was a simple wooden structure, but it underwent several reconstructions. Its present form dates back to 1846.
Situated on the southern coastline of Macao overlooking the sea, families of Portuguese sailors used to gather at the church to pray for the safe return of their loved ones, hence, the locals also called it “Hall of the Favourable Winds” (Feng Shun Tong), symbolizing smooth and safe voyages.
St. Anthony’s Church
St. Anthony Church is one of most ancient churches in Macao; which is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua as Patron Saint. Originally built around 1560, the church was a favourite parish for the liturgical celebrations of weddings, often adorned with fresh flowers, earning it the local nickname “Fa Vong Tong”, meaning the Gardener’s Church.
Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady
The Patron Saint of the Cathedral is dedicated to the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary; located in the heart of the Macao Peninsula, it is commonly known as the “Sé Catedral” in Portuguese The term “Sé” refers to the throne of bishop of the Diocese, symbolising his role in guiding the faithful. As the Centre of the diocese, all the main diocesan liturgical ceremonies and processions were celebrated at the Cathedral.
