Fr.Almir Trindade, a 38-year-old Italian missionary priest is undertaking 450 km bicycle pilgrimage with two companions from northern Bangladesh to meet Holy Father Pope Francis in the country’s capital Dhaka. The priest, from Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIFM), set off on the pilgrimage from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dinjapur district on November 20, 2017. Fr. Almir has now reached Gazipur district near Dhaka with two Oraon indigenous Catholics named Ripon Albinus Lakra, 25 and Ranjon Minjh, 18.
As reported by ucanews.com, Fr. Almir remarked that “Our journey is a pilgrimage, we have decided to take this journey as the Pope is coming as a pilgrim to Bangladesh from thousands of miles away, so we could do the same from here and on the way we have talked to Catholics and Protestants about the Pope coming to Bangladesh and they were all enthusiastic.” Further, he added, “I injured my leg while playing football and I had to rest up for six months, I prayed every day for my recovery and promised God I will take up cycling for missionary work and this pilgrimage is a part of the journey.”
They intent to attend the papal mass at Suhrawarday Udyan Park at Ramna, Dhaka on December 1, 2017, and will also attend an interfaith young gathering at Church-run Notre Dame College on December 2.
