This Thursday, November 28, the first mass was held as part of the novena to the Virgin of Caacupé, whose main festival is celebrated on December 8. This year, the motto of the novena is “Be a pilgrim of hope.”
The first homily of the novena was given by Monsignor Gabriel Escobar, bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco, and had as its theme “Hope does not disappoint.”
The priest called on the faithful to be supportive, to live justice without distinction and to take greater care of our common home in order to prepare to live the Jubilee 2025.
He also advocated for policies that would help improve the quality of life of Paraguayans and protect certain basic services such as health, access to one’s own land and quality education.
In particular, he advocated for the needs of the towns in the Paraguayan Chaco, which are largely home to indigenous communities.
State support for pilgrims
The festivities of the Virgin of Caacupé also involve the deployment of several State institutions to provide assistance to the nearly 3 million pilgrims expected to come to the capital of the Andes.
In this regard, the Ministry of Health plans to provide health posts, ambulances, mobile clinics and epidemiological surveillance in this year’s operation.
The health operation begins on Thursday, November 28, and will end on December 15. It focuses on ensuring medical assistance at strategic points, emergency coverage, with an efficient and effective system of referrals and evacuations to more complex health centers.
The Highway Patrol is also planning a major deployment that includes restrictions and detours to be implemented to ensure maximum security for pilgrims, within the framework of Operation Caacupé.
One of the main provisions is the suspension of heavy vehicle traffic on route PY02, specifically in the section between San Lorenzo and Itacurubí de la Cordillera (Km 86.5).
This restriction, which will be in force from 12:00 on Thursday 5th until 10:00 on Sunday 8th December, affects trucks weighing more than 10 tonnes, vehicles with trailers, livestock transporters, indivisible loads, fuels and flammable or explosive materials.
For public transport, six mandatory stops have been strategically located along route PY02, from Ypacaraí to Caacupé.
