Peñafrancia Set for Sunday in Manila

MANILA, Sept. 8, 2010-The Peñafrancia Devotees Association in Metro Manila will join the whole of Bikolandia in celebrating the 300 years of devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, fondly called "Ina."

Triduum of Novena and Masses at the St. Andrew of the Apostle Parish Church in Makati City will be held at every 6 p.m. from Sept. 9 to 11.

On Sept. 12, the feast day, a fluvial procession along Pasig River will be held at 4 p.m. in keeping with the Peñafrancia Naga tradition.

A large decorated barge will carry the image of Mary, escorted on board by all-male adult devotees, along the Pasig River, and escorted alongside by the Philippine Coast Guard watercraft.

The fluvial procession will start at the Makati Garden and Park or Liwasang Makati in Guadalupe and end at the Ferry Landing Station at Escolta, Manila.

From Escolta, a foot procession will follow with all the female devotees taking turns in carrying the image of the Blessed Mother to the Manila Cathedral, some 600 meters from Escolta.

The main celebration of the feast is a concelebrated Mass at the cathedral at 6 p.m.

"Come, join and believe in the never-failing intercession of our loving Mother. Celebrate the love and blessings that she had brought into our lives," organizers said.

"It is time to thank our Blessed Mother and to spend time with her in these novenas and Masses and festivities. As children of Our Blessed Mother, let us gather together to celebrate with her this 300th year of devotion to 'Ina'".

In Naga City, the Archdiocese of Caceres will mark the celebration with a Pontifical Mass to be presided by Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral on Sept. 12.

Several bishops and priests are expected to concelebrate and thousands of devotees are expected to attend in the Eucharistic celebration.

On Sept. 11, the image of the Blessed Mother would be brought to the Naga Cathedral, where the procession at the final day of the religious feast on Sept. 18 will start, to culminate in a fluvial procession at the Naga River.

Local authorities said the number of visitors and tourists could reach 3 million as most members of Peñafrancia associations worldwide confirmed attendance. (CBCPNews)