Pontifical masses will be celebrated today, Sunday, at the Basilica
Minore (Minor Basilica) in Naga City, Camarines Sur, in solemn
observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia – Bicol’s most
revered Patroness.
Today marks the 304th year of widespread devotion to the image, which
locals affectionately refer to as “Ina,” or mother. It is enshrined in
her sanctuary at the Basilica Minore.
Bishop Lucilo Quiambao will celebrate the first holy mass at 6:30
a.m., to be followed by Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona at 8 a.m.
Bishop Jose Sorra will officiate a 9:30 a.m. mass, with Bishop
Gilbert Garcera presiding another mass later at 11 a.m. The evening
mass, which starts at 6 p.m., will be celebrated by Bishop Manolo de los
Santos.
Tomorrow, Monday, community masses will be celebrated at the basilica from 5 a.m. until noon and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rites in celebration of the feast were also held elsewhere like in
Metro Manila, where triduum novena masses and a procession were
organized by the Peñafrancia Devotees Association of the metropolis.
Feast masses in honor of “Ina” were organized as well by Bicolanos
and devotees who have migrated abroad such as those now residing in the
United States.
Meanwhile, thousands of home-bound Bicolanos and devotees witnessed
Saturday the much-awaited grand fluvial procession in the Naga River
that brought back the images of Our Lady and the Divino Rostro (Holy
Face of Jesus) from the centuries-old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to the
Basilica Minore.
Devotion to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia started in 1710 with the
small community of Miguel Robles de Covarrubias, the first diocesan
priest to be ordained in Naga. It has since become widespread and has
extended even to non-Bicolanos.
