The millions of devotees of OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA are all set to celebrate the miracles and a show of devotion in one of the biggest Marian celebrations, not only in the country, but in the whole of Asia.
Traditionally celebrated on the third Saturday of September, the entire festivities of the Penafracia Festival in Naga City last for nine days and starts with the traditional TRANSLACION. Barefooted men devotees carry the images of INA, as the Bicolanos dearly call the Virgin, and DIVINO ROSTRO, the Holy Face, from her home that is Penafrancia Basilica Minore to the Metropolitan Cathedral where the novenas and most of the festivities will take place.
There are many stories of how the Lady of Penafrancia becomes synonymous with the faithful ardor of Bicolanos. One is of a father who prayed to the Lady everyday for his sick daughter’s healing. From stories, the father’s prayers were answered and initiated the formation of what is now the home of Our Lady, the Penafrancia Basilica Minore. Another story is that of the Dominican priest Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who was personally blessed by the Virgin and is witness to some of her miracles. From his account, a dog was sacrificed and its blood to be used as tint to darken the image of the Lady. It was then thrown in the river with its feet bound and tied together. Covarrubias then said that the Virgin will save the dog, and to everyone’s surprise the dog miraculously swam and ran to his master. To this day, countless devotees give testimonies of their answered prayers and the Virgin’s miracles.
After 9 days of events, novenas and many forms of devotions to the Lady, it will be time for her to come home. A fluvial procession along the Naga River carrying the Lady of Penafrancia in an elaborately designed pagoda, and the devotees chanting VIVA LA VIRGEN (Long live the Virgin!) along the riverbanks, will take her back to the Penafrancia Basilica. Only male devotees are allowed to participate in the procession. Legend has it that having a woman in the procession will bring bad luck.
Considered one, if not, the biggest religious festivals in the country, The Penafrancia Festival is a mix of religion, culture and tradition. Despite the added festivities and color to the event, the Bicolanos stay true to their devotion to the Lady of Penafrancia.
Schedule of the 2012 Penafrancia Festival:
September 7
Feast of DIVINO ROSTRO
Peñafrancia Church | Pontifical Mass – 5:30AM
Traslacion 2012
Community Mass – 2:00PM Plaza De Covarrubias (Peñafrancia Parish grounds)
Procession – 3:30PM from Peñafrancia Shrine to Naga Metroplitan Cathedral
Fireworks Display
SM City Naga
September 8
Sarong Banggui Assembly
Naga City People’s Hall
Penafrancia Marathon 2012
Starting point – Peñafrancia Shrine | 2:00AM – 5:00AM
Josephians Run as 1
2nd SJS Family Fun Walk and Run
Saint Joseph School | 5:00AM
Marian Youth Congress
Naga City Coliseum | 7:00AM – 5:00AM of September 9
Procession – 6:00PM from Coliseum to Naga Metropolitan Catheral
Dog Parade and Fashion Show
STI Gymnasium | 8:00AM
ABS-CBN Kapamilya Caravan
Plaza Quezon | 7:00PM
September 8-9
1st Naga City Mayor’s Cup Badminton Open (ABC 7)
Naga City Gymnasium | 8:00AM
September 8-14
Novena Mass
Naga Metropolitan Cathedral | 5:00PM
Marian Procession & Healing Prayer with Manto
Naga Metroplitan Catheral grounds | 8:00PM
September 9
Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church 20th Thanksgiving Anniversary
Naga City People’s Hall
Book Launching “A Few Minutes with Father” by Fr. Allan S. Fenix
Holy Rosary Minor Seminary | 9:00AM
That’s My Boy Bicolandia / That’s My Boy Naga City
LCC Activity Center | 3:00PM
Saludo Concert for Heroes
Naga City Coliseum| 6700PM
September 9-14
Marian Band Concerts
Naga Metroplitan Cathedral grounds | 7:00PM
September 10
Naguenong Bidang-Bida Rap Contest Finals
Plaza Quezon | 6:00PM
September 11-12, 2012
The WPPP Goes to Penafrancia 2012
A Seminar-Workshop
September 11-15
Pontifical Mass
Naga Metropolitan Cathedral | 6:00AM
September 12
Regional DXL / BSP / GSP Competitions
Plaza Quezon | 6:00AM
Penafrancia Fiesta 5 Stag Derby
CamSur Sports Arenam, Milaor, Camarines Sur
Side A Live in Ateneo de Naga University
ADNU Covered Courts
September 12-16
Bicol Travel and Food Expo / 11th Bicol Regional Tourism Congress
Avenue Plaza Hotel
September 13
Civic Parade
Plaza Quezon | 6:00AM
Voyadores Festival
Plaza Quezon | 2:00PM
September 14
Regional Military Parade
Plaza Quezon | 6:00AM
437th Foundation Anniversary of Cuidad de Caceres
Plaza de Nueva Caceres
24th Bicol Dance Showdown
Plaza Quezon | 7:00PM
September 15
26th Ginebra Regatta
Danlugan / Naga River | 6:00AM
Fluvial Procession 2012
4:00PM – procession from Metropolitan Cathedral to Danlugan – Naga River then to Basilica Minore
Bombo Radyo Free Concert
Plaza Quezon | 7:00PM – 12:00MN
September 16
302nd Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Basilica Minore
To get there:
By bus: From Manila, take the bus to Naga
Philtranco and Superlines run buses to Naga
By plane: From Manila, there are regular flights to Naga
Photos from: http://www.catanduanesforum.com
http://tomfalconjr.multiply.com
