El Camino de Santo Niño – A Pilgrimage of Hope (click for Translations)

EL CAMINO DE SANTO NIÑO – PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE

Hello, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

With joyful hearts and renewed hope, we, the Augustinians International, invite you to walk with us in El Camino de Santo Niño– a pilgrimage of hope taking place monthly from the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City. This journey, which we begin on May 10 and continue on June 14, July 12, August 9, and September 13, is not merely a procession; it is a prophetic gesture of unity, peace, and shared responsibility for our world. We walk as one humanity, rooted in our Augustinian spirituality, inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis, and driven by our commitment to peace, justice, and integrity of creation. “Let us not forget that ‘the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ are one and the same.” (Pope Francis, Laudato Si’).

A Synodal Pilgrimage: Walking Together

El Camino de Santo Niño is a spiritual journey that expresses our desire to walk together as a synodal Church. In his apostolic vision, Pope Francis reminds us that the Church is not static but always on the move — listening, discerning, and serving. “The journey of synodality is the journey that God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” (Pope Francis, Address for the Opening of the Synod). In this spirit, our monthly walk becomes a visible sign of solidarity, where we do not leave anyone behind. We bring with us the hopes and sufferings of our peoples. We remember the displaced, the poor, the sick, the environment, and our children’s future. We walk, not alone, but together — bishops, priests, religious, laity, families, and youth.

Rooted in the Legacy of the Santo Niño

The image of the Santo Niño — the Holy Child Jesus — reminds us that God became small for us. His humility invites us to rediscover the essential values of simplicity, trust, and mercy. The Holy Child Jesus carries in His protecting hand the Earth close to His heart. In this humble yet powerful gesture, we are offered a profound theological vision. The Child, fragile in appearance, holds the world not with domination but with tenderness and love. The globe He cradles is not merely symbolic; it reveals His deep concern for creation, for humanity, and for the vulnerable who dwell on this Earth. As the Santo Niño presses the Earth close to His heart, He teaches us that our common home is beloved by God — it is not disposable, not to be neglected or destroyed. He carries it with care because He loves what the Father has made. He holds it close because every person, every creature, every cry of the Earth matters to Him. “The Lord was made little so that you might be made great; He took on Himself what is lowly so that He could give you what is lofty.” (St. Augustine, Sermon 185).

Let us, like the Santo Niño, hold the Earth gently and with reverence. Let us draw it close to our own hearts through action, prayer, and commitment to the care of creation, the dignity of every human being, and the hope for a renewed world. “Each of us is a child of this earth; each of us is a child of God. Let us take up our responsibility with the same tenderness with which Christ carries the world.” (Inspired by Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti).

In Celebration of a Prophetic Time

This Camino is not only a devotional practice — it is a celebration of a prophetic moment. We walk:

• In celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope, announced by Pope Francis, reminding us that “hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).
• To mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the encyclical that has awakened a moral and spiritual call to care for our common home.
• To highlight the 10th anniversary of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a universal agenda to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all.
• To give thanks for the life and legacy of Pope Francis, whose teachings, witness, and reform have brought a renewed Gospel energy to the Church and the world.

Our Augustinian Witness

As Augustinians, we are called to live in community, truth, and charity. Our pilgrimage is an expression of this witness: in unum cor et anima una in Deum — “with one heart and one soul intent upon God”. “Walk always in humility and truth, and God will be with you.” (St. Augustine, Sermon 96). We invite all Augustinian communities — friars, sisters, lay groups, students, alumni, parents, and employees — to organize your own local version of El Camino de Santo Niño. Let every parish, school, and community become a place of pilgrimage, prayer, and prophetic action. Let us walk with our people in the spirit of hope. Let us carry the image of the Santo Niño into our neighborhoods, public spaces, and hearts. Let us proclaim that hope is alive and peace is possible.

For Peace, Justice, and Integrity of Creation

This Camino is powered by the Augustinians International, whose mission is to promote human dignity and work for justice and peace at the United Nations. As a recognized NGO, we collaborate with global partners to ensure that the voices of the poor and the cry of the Earth are heard in the highest halls of power. “Everything is connected… it is essential to seek comprehensive solutions which consider the interactions within natural systems themselves and with social systems.” (Laudato Si’, 139). Our pilgrimage is also an act of ecological conversion. We walk with the Earth, not against it. We strive for sustainable lifestyles and responsible stewardship. We remember that creation is not a possession but a gift. “The Earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” (Psalm 24:1).

Walking in One Faith, One Hope, One Love

“Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home.” (Fratelli Tutti, 8). The Camino is a time of dreaming and doing. It is not only a symbolic journey, but a movement. We envision a future where:

• Our parishes are more inclusive.
• Our schools form young people with conscience and compassion.
• Our communities live the Gospel with integrity.

Let us not grow tired of walking. Let us not give in to despair. For as long as we walk together, God walks with us. “Hope has two beautiful daughters: anger and courage. Anger at the way things are, and courage to change them.” (St. Augustine)

With fraternal affection and prayers,

In Deum,

Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandez Gonzaga, OSA

Representative of the Augustinian Order to the United Nations

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