LIFE IS A PILGRIM JOURNEY...

Last December 2007, I undertook a personal pilgrimage to the City of Naga, which is the seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres. It has been my custom to visit Naga City for a personal pilgrimage to visit its churches, especially the Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia. It has been my personal devotion. As I visit churches I would recite the Rosary, starting from the joyful up to the glorious mysteries. It is also my custom to perform the stations of the cross. This private exercises has been a source of immense grace for me. Our Lady has granted me my wishes and has showered me with her protection. I am reminded of my late grandparents who had a great devotion to Our Lady. Every September they would take all the pains to visit Naga just to participate in the fluvial procession. Our city is three hours away from Naga City. I would like to hare with you some of the pictures of Naga City. Perhaps you will wonder why the name of the Archdiocese is Caceres. in the 1600s the Spaniards built a settlement near the winding Bicol River, they called it Nueva Caceres. Across the river is the native settlement called Naga. Nueva Caceres and Naga were twin cities. As the settlements expanded, the Naga settlement outpaced Caceres, hence the name Naga became the dominant name for the place, the two settlements eventually merged and hence the name Naga. But for historical reasons, the Church retained the name of Caceres.



The Old Shrine of the Lady. Now bears the replica of the original image. The original image of Our Lady has been transferred to the Basilica designed to accommodate thousands of pilgrims. (Photo by Dr. Herbert)

Life is a journey. Life is the most precious gift from God, our Father. It is an expressiion of His Love for us. The opportunity to know him and the saving power of His Son brings us to the fullness of that Love. Our Catholic faith portrays this faith in many ways. Here in Bicol we have the annual fluvial procession of Our Lady of Penafrancia. We have an elaborate festival to depic this truth. And in some ways this has provided vitality to the Christian faith of the Bicolanos. To those who would like to read more about the Bicolano's devotion to Ina (as Mary is devotely called by the Bicolanos) visit the website of the Archdiocese of Caceres at http://www.caceres-naga.org/



The Annual Fluvial Procession of Our Lady of Penafrancia as depicted in the Stainglass window on the right wing of the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Our Lady of Penafrancia is the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Caceres and of the Bicol Region comprising of five suffragan dioceses,namely, Legazpi, Sorsogon, Virac, Masbate and Libmanan. (Photo by Dr. Herbert)


The Interior of the Basilica Minore where the Image of Ina is venerated. (Photo by Dr. Herbert)



This is the interior of the Parish Church of San Francisco. This is the oldest Church established by the Franciscans in Nueva Caceres. However, the original structure was destroyed by the war and by clime. Hence this is a reconstructed Church building. When I visit this Church I use to recite here the Sorrowful Mysteries. (Photo by Dr. Herbert)



Stain glass window in the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia, depicting the icon of the Holy Face. (Photo by Dr. Herbert)




This is the Miraculous icon of the Holy Face, displayed near the main altar where the Blessed Sacrament is located. (Photo by Dr. Herbert)