THE PEÑAFRANCIA FESTIVAL IN NAGA CITY

 

One of the most famous festivals in the Philippines that I had long hoped to attend is the Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, Camarines Sur. This celebration honors Our Lady of Peñafrancia, lovingly called the Ina, a highly venerated image throughout the Bicol Region. A key highlight of the festival, often mentioned, is the fluvial procession, in which only men participate. Similar to Quiapo's Traslación in honor of the Black Nazarene—where millions of mostly barefoot men join the procession—Bicol offers its own grand tradition, this time in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This year, I finally had the opportunity to attend the festival. I was asked to represent the CBCP to present a plaque of appreciation to the Archbishop Emeritus of Caceres, the Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, marking his 30th year as a bishop. Since the plaque was not handed to him during the plenary assembly of bishops last July, it was decided to present it during the Peñafrancia Festival in Caceres. The event was especially meaningful as it coincided with the centennial celebration of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Additionally, the new Archbishop of Caceres, the Most Rev. Rex Andrew Alarcon, was set to receive the pallium during one of the Masses. Archbishop Alarcon deemed this event a fitting occasion to honor Archbishop Tirona.

The Peñafrancia festivities span almost the entire month of September, beginning with nine days of novena Masses in honor of the Divino Rostro (the Holy Face of Jesus), venerated alongside the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. This year, the novena for the Divino Rostro began on September 4 and ended on September 13, which also marked the start of the novena in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Masses were celebrated throughout the day at both the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral and the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Each diocese in the Bicol Region made pilgrimages and celebrated their own diocesan Masses. Every evening, Marian processions illuminated the city streets.

On the first day of Our Lady’s novena, the Traslación procession took place, during which the image is brought from the Minor Basilica to the Cathedral for the novena Masses. This tradition originated when the image was enshrined in a smaller parish church and could not accommodate the influx of pilgrims. Although a new and larger Minor Basilica was later built, the practice of transferring the image to the Cathedral continues. Following the nine-day novena, the image is returned to the Minor Basilica via the much-anticipated fluvial procession along the Naga River.

On September 20, the eighth day of the novena, a special Mass and reenactment of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia were held outside the Cathedral at 4:00 PM. Thousands of devotees attended the Mass, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown. Also present was Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Nuncio to Israel and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, who hails from Bicol. The bishops of the Bicol region were also in attendance as well some bishops from other dioceses.

The following morning, September 21, at 7:30 AM, the Eucharistic Celebration for the Imposition of the Pallium upon Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon took place. During this Mass, just before the final blessing, the plaque of appreciation was presented to Archbishop Tirona. I read the citation and handed the plaque to the Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishop Alarcon, who then presented it to Archbishop Tirona.

That afternoon, I had the privilege of joining the fluvial procession, an awe-inspiring event. I boarded the pagoda, a large barge carrying the images of the Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The Coast Guard enforced strict regulations, allowing only those pre-registered to board the pagoda. Hundreds of colorful boats, arranged in four rows, pulled the barge, with boatmen wearing uniforms representing various communities and organizations. Crowds of people lined both sides of the riverbank, watching from rooftops and bridges. It was a breathtaking sight. The procession concluded near the Minor Basilica, where the image was enshrined once again.

The following day, the center of activity shifted to the Basilica, with Masses celebrated continuously to accommodate the overwhelming number of pilgrims. At the Cathedral, simultaneous Masses were even held both inside and outside to serve the faithful.

The Peñafrancia Festival is truly a testament to the enduring devotion of the Filipino people to Our Lady. Being part of this vibrant and faith-filled celebration was an unforgettable experience.

 

THE HOLY MASS AND REENACTMENT OF THE CANONICAL CORONATION OF 
OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA
September 20, 2024

The Apostolic Nuncio putting on the crown to the Ina

Abp. Yllana crowning the Infant Jesus

Abp. Alarcon putting on the Aureola with 12 stars on the Ina. 

There was a light rain throughout the mass

Together with the bishops who concelebrated in the Centennial of the Coronation. 

Had the chance to have a picture at the convento with the original image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia lovingly called the Ina before the start of the celebration. 

A symbolic handing over the check to Abp. Tirona before the mass. 

With Abp. Rex Andrew Alarcon now wearing the pallium newly imposed on him. 

THE FLUVIAL PROCESSION 

Upon the arrival of the image of the Ina and Divino Rostro at the Minor Basilica, a mass celebrated just outside the Basilica with Abp. Alarcon as the celebrant. 

Abp. Rex Alarcon delivering his homily. 

With the attending bishops after the mass at the Minor Basilica after the fluvial procession. 

During the Fiesta, Sept. 22, I concelebrated at the 8am mass at the Basilica presided by the Most Rev. David Rickens, the Bishop of Green Bay Winconsin, USA (third from left above) where a number of priests from Caceres are doing their ministry. 

With Sem. Jake Balmaceda who was my page during my stay in Naga City. 

OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA PARISH
Peñafrancia Ave., Naga City

This church is where the original image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia was first enshrined until a bigger church was built nearby and later became a Minor Basilica and the image was transferred there. But the title of this church remained as Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish.