Honouring Faith and Unity: The ministry of Arts and Culture at the heart of the Père Laval Pilgrimage 2025

Each year, in the quiet streets leading to Sainte Croix, thousands of footsteps echo with devotion. Men, women and children, from every corner of Mauritius and even beyond our shores, walk together in prayer to honour Père Jacques Désiré Laval, the Apostle of Mauritius, whose legacy of compassion and unity still touches hearts nearly two centuries later.

Behind this great outpouring of faith lies a careful effort to make the pilgrimage possible. The Ministry of Arts and Culture has stood alongside the Church and the people in ensuring that the conditions are met for this gathering of national importance. Marquees to shelter pilgrims, podiums for the celebrations, LED screens to allow the faithful to follow the ceremonies, safety vests for volunteers, and other facilities were placed at the service of the public. In total, some Rs 1.4 million were mobilised, a reflection not of expense but of the value attached to preserving this moment of unity in our cultural fabric.

On the morning of 8 September, before the first pilgrims arrived, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Hon. Mahendra Gondeea, OSK, together with the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Brinda Payeeandy, and senior officers of the Ministry, carried out a site visit. Their presence was a pledge that the State recognises the pilgrimage of Père Laval not only as a religious moment, but as a living symbol of our nation’s togetherness.

The Père Laval pilgrimage is a defining event in Mauritius, bringing together people of all generations, faiths and communities. It reflects the spirit of solidarity and respect that forms the foundation of our nation. By extending its support, the Ministry of Arts and Culture reaffirms its mission: to stand where culture, history and spirituality meet, and to ensure that such moments continue to flourish in the heart of the Mauritian people.