ZAMBOANGA CITY – Hundreds of devotees joined the annual procession and attended Mass at the Fort Pilar Shrine in honor of the Our Lady of the Pillar or Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, patroness of this city, on her feast day on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
The religious events were held face-to-face after two years of subdued celebration due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A nine-day novena Mass was held and culminated in a mañanita (early morning) Mass at 4:30 a.m., followed by Masses at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and 9 a.m.
The grand procession started at 3 p.m. from the holy cathedral to the Fort Pilar Shrine followed by a pontifical Mass at 5 p.m. and Masses at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
People were able to attend the religious gatherings because her feast day was designated as a non-working holiday pursuant to Republic Act 7350.
The law was signed on April 2, 1992 by President Fidel Ramos on the initiative of Zamboanga City Rep. Maria Clara Lobregat.
This city lined up a series of activities for this year’s celebration of the month-long Zamboanga Hermosa Festival or Fiesta Pilar in veneration of the Our Lady of the Pillar .
The series of activities culminated on Wednesday, Oct. 11, during the Streetdance and Drum and Lyre competitions at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Stadium.