300 Years of Devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia: God's Gift to the Bikolanos

Photos belong to Dr. Herbert R.

September is not only a month for important saints but for the Bikolanos [read the side bar about the Bikolanos] of the Philippines this month is very important because this is the month of the Penafrancia Festival. This festival is phenomenal, uniquely and phenomenally Bikolano in fervor. The Love and Devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son Jesus is celebrated and is a full expression of how Christianity has been inculturated among the Bikolanos. The gospel of Christ did not come to destroy culture but to refine and sanctify it so that it may conform to the light of the Gospel of Christ. The simplicity and the love of the Bikolanos for the Lord is manifested in this festival .

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Icon of the Divino Rostro Displayed in the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia in Naga City, Archdiocese of Caceres

The Nave of the Basilica Minore

The Interior of the Basilica Minore. The Central Reredo Enshrines the Original Icon of the Lady of Penafrancia, Venerated by the Bikolanos for almost 300 years. The Bikolanos is an ethno-linguistic group in the Philippines and considered the most ardent Catholics of the Philippines.

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia

The exterior of the Basilica. proudly a Testament to the Bikolanos devotion to the Blessed Mother. A Crown Jewel of Faith. This was conceived in the 1950 - 60s and the building of this Basilica went piece by piece because of financial constraints. Thus you will notice that the interior still has the liturgical concept of the Pre-Vatican era, with its high altar attached to the reredo. But the railings were removed, but nonetheless the interior is still very much pre-Vatican in Design and suited for the tridentine Mass. But as of now there is no public celebration of the Tridentine Mass despite of the Summorum Pontificum. But the stream of devotees is indeed a testament of the love of the people for the virgin and the Virgins dispensing of the grace of her Son. The icon is said to be miraculous and has wrought countless miracles as testified to by her devotees.

The Old Church of Our Lady of Penafrancia that originally housed the Image now a parish church, but still a pilgrim site

The Interior of the Penafrancia Church, a Jewel of Baroque Art

The Old Parish Church that originally housed the original icon. But with the growing number of devotees the church has become too small so ecclesiastical authorities decided to move the image to the Basilica.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City, Province of Camarines Sur, Philippines

The Main Altar and Nave of the Metropolitan Cathedral

The Blessed Sacrament

The Chapel of the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral. It is customary for large Cathedral to have a separate reservation for the Blessed Sacrament in order to protect the Sanctity of the Real Presence. In Cathedrals like these the steady stream of pilgrims, tourists and other non-Catholic people will unduly disturb the solemnity if the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the High Altar.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City. Naga City is a city of churches. Sort of Rome for Catholics here in Bikol. The Bikolanos were greatly honored when the Church elected the first Filipino Bishop from the Bikolanos, Bishop Jorge Balin. During the revolution, the revolutionaries drafted the name of Jorge Balin to be a member of the schismatic movement of Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, but Bishop Balin steadfastly clung to his fidelity to the Vicar of Christ and his steadfast adherence to the authority of the Roman Pontiff. Bishop Jorge Balin became the first Filipino Bishop.

Near the Cathedral Compound is the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. Alma Mater to renowned prelates and clergy

Here are some useful sites for those wanting to read more and know more about Our Lady of Penafrancia. If the Blessed Mother touch your hearts please do visit these sites:

Images of Intense Devotion
Viva La Virgen!
Penafrancia Fiesta 2008