The Church in Peru

The Diocese of Tacna y Moquegua will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the patroness of the diocese, with a novena and various religious activities.

The novena runs from September 28 to October 6 at the Tacna Cathedral. Each day includes the recitation of the Rosary at 4:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 5:30 p.m. On the eve of the feast, October 6, a musical serenade will take place at 6:30 p.m. following the evening prayers and Mass.

The solemnity will be held on October 7. A festive Eucharist is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., which Bishop Marco Antonio Cortez Lara will preside over. The celebration concludes with a procession through the Paseo Cívico of Tacna at 6:00 p.m.

Pope Leo XIV has released a pastoral guide titled "Leo XIV Returns Home" to prepare the Archdiocese of Lima for his upcoming apostolic visit. The Archdiocese of Lima made the digital material available for use by parishes, schools, religious communities, families, and various pastoral movements.

The guide consists of four chapters that summarize four documents regarding the teachings of Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Carlos Castillo stated that the material covers the pope's preferential love for the poor, the construction of peace, and the protection of human dignity. The final chapter focuses on internalizing specific spiritual aspects of the visit.

Cardinal Castillo said the visit is a decisive part of the synodal process within the archdiocese. He noted that the guide helps the local Church renew its evangelizing efforts and improve its service to the people through reflection, prayer, and liturgical life.

The Archdiocese of Lima organized two walking pilgrimages titled Por las rutas del Pastor to honor Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo. The Jubilee Commission for the 300th anniversary of his canonization coordinated the routes, which visited historical and religious sites linked to the life and mission of the second missionary archbishop of Lima.

The pilgrimages included members of the Commission of Faith and Culture, the Archdiocesan Archive of Lima, pastoral workers, laypeople, and local communities. Father Fidel Zavaleta, the Jubilee Commission coordinator, stated that the goal is to introduce the life and example of Santo Toribio to a community that remains largely unfamiliar with him.

Zavaleta noted that the saint's commitment to the vulnerable serves as a challenge to the modern Church and society. He explained that Santo Toribio focused on human dignity and well-being beyond religious liturgy, emphasizing that faith requires supporting those in need.

The Diocese of Tacna y Moquegua has announced Locumbéate 2026, a youth pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Locumba scheduled for Saturday, September 26. Organized by the diocesan youth ministry, vocation ministry, and the diocesan office of catechesis, the event invites young people from various sectors of the diocese to participate in a journey of prayer and community.

Participants can join the pilgrimage from three different starting locations. In Tacna, the group will depart from the Tacna Cathedral on Blondell Street at 5:00 a.m. with a registration fee of 40 soles. In Moquegua, the departure is set for 5:00 a.m. from the atrium of the Co-Cathedral at Santa Catalina Parish for 50 soles. A third group will depart from the Plaza de la Bandera Pampa in Puerto Ilo at 5:00 a.m. for 50 soles.

Bishop César Huerta led a biblical formation course for laypeople in the Diocese of Sicuani on September 4 and 5.

The course served pastoral workers, catechists, young people, local communities, and the faithful who want to deepen their knowledge of the Word of God. The sessions focused on reflection and communal faith.

Cardinal Carlos Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, called for people to use wisdom and intelligence to overcome violence and seek peace. During a homily on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Cardinal urged society to address problems with depth, patience, and respect for human rights rather than responding to evil with more violence.

Reflecting on the teachings of Jesus regarding forgiveness, Cardinal Castillo explained that forgiving does not mean ignoring wrongdoing or abandoning justice. He stated that a society wounded by violence must learn to confront evil without becoming trapped in the same logic it seeks to fight. He described the need for a peace that is unarmed and disarming.

The Cardinal noted that the biblical teaching to forgive seventy times seven signifies a complete and persistent commitment to the gift of life. He said that even those who have committed serious wrongs retain their human dignity because God views all people as his children.