NAGA City, Sept. 24, 2010-What used to be a small town practice of piety has now developed into a Marian devotion international in scope, according to Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi.
The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia has grown exponentially over the past 300 years and has reached far distant shores, the prelate said.
"This is a celebration that cannot be repeated for a particular person," Archbishop Legaspi told CBCPNews at the closing ceremonies for the International Pilgrims Conference held at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia compound last week.
"With the presence of this crowd from various parts of the world, it seems to be international and it is here to stay," the 75 year-old prelate said adding that the devotion "is the best proof of the abiding presence of Ina" as Our Lady of Peñafrancia is addressed by the Bikolano devotees.
For the devotion to have lasted so long, he said "there must be something good in it and the people who have been influenced by the devotion are the best proof of the credibility of the devotion beginning with the Bikolanos and those who have shared the devotion."
The devotion to Peñafrancia started in the small locality of Naga in 1710, but at the end of the century it became a regional devotion under Bishop Francisco Gainza.
He said it is important and meaningful for the devotion itself "because antiquity for a devotion, means credibility."
For devotees who failed to come for the tercentenary celebration, Archbishop Legaspi said "Ina is always present in our lives, wherever we are, and it is just a matter of saying 'Ina' and you are there." (Melo M. Acuna)