Devotees of Our Lady of Penafrancia will celebrate tomorrow, September 20, the feast of the revered patroness of the Bicol region.
Fondly called “Ina,” the fiesta mass will be streamed live from the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia and from the different parishes in Naga City.
Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona of Caceres encourages the faithful “to join the celebration online as a safeguard against the coronavirus disease.“
The traditional traslacion of the images of “Ina” and the Divino Rostro (Holy Face of Jesus) last September 11 and the much-anticipated fluvial procession, which was supposed to be held today, September 19, as well as other forms of procession and activities related to the celebration were cancelled this year by the archdiocese because of the pandemic.
Novena masses were held from September 11 to 19 and were streamed live by the archdiocese to discourage devotees from going to church where safety protocols were strictly observed.
The “Pasungko ni Ina” was also held but without any form of procession.
With the changes implemented by the Archdiocese of Caceres this year, Tirona urged the faithful “to continue to be strong in their faith."
"Let us take this as an opportunity for the devotion to become more distinctive and rooted in our families, the domestic Church. The changes in our celebration should inspire us to discover how our faith can lead us to be gentle and humble in receiving the grace of God in the face of this pandemic,” the Church leader stressed.
The theme for Peñafrancia 2020 is “Fostering Dialogue and Harmony in the Spirit of Mary’s Gentleness and Humility.” This year marks the 138th devotion to the Divino Rostro and the 310th year of widespread devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.