303 years of devotion and growing!

Last Friday, September 13, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gathered around the Penafrancia shrine to witness the annual traslacion of the Our Lady of Penafrancia, Patroness of Bicolandia. The holy image of Ina was known to be miraculous and thousands of devotees pay their homage every year for each favor they received.  

Traslacion, is the transferring of the miraculous Image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia and of the Divino Rostro to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Sunday of September in Naga City. It is preceded by a nine days of prayer in honor of the Virgin and holy masses are celebrated every hour by the priest from all over the Philippines. On the ninth day, the image is returned to her shrine following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles from devotees in boats escorting the image. This tradition begun in 1885. 

It was more than 300 years and yet her devotees grow each year. Despite all the trials, present economic condition and technological advancement not to mention the growing number of religious sect, believers are still coming and growing to visit her shrine. I cannot say that maybe because we inherit this traits from our forefathers who was remnants of Spaniards nor that maybe because we are just doing this because someone required us to do so but maybe because it’s the faith that makes us united and draw close near her.

Adorned with fresh flowers and new mantle her holy image together with the Divino Rostro are being carried by strong men. They are known to be voyadores. Not all men can be a voyadores. You have to be tough and responsible to be one. You don’t need to wear your high classy outfit and smells good but you gotta be strong! 

Strong that will make you reach her image .  Touch and kiss her image and have the courage to wipe a small piece of cloth even in her mantle. That piece of clothing is a treasure to every voyadores and wiping one means everything to them. It is believed that anyone suffering from physical ailments are relieved once that piece of cloth touch them. Sometimes voyadores get hurt and even fainted. But the faith they have never ceases. With INA every bicolano is always safe.

For every bicolano, the traslacion isn’t just a tradition it is also the time to reflect and be thankful for all the blessings we received. As a practice each time her holy image passes by the street it is being showered with flowers and confetti. Some business establishment fly balloons and spray water for the voyadores. The busy streets of Naga are being filled with good old friends from all walks of life. It is the time for every bicolano to go home and reunite again. The traslacion is an opportunity to meet with the old friends and get along with them during the procession and an avenue to make new friends.

As one of her devotee and growing up with the strong catholic faith and as a witness for her miraculous deeds for my mom I came along with my brother every year to witness and join the celebration. No matter where we are we make sure to go home for her feast. Not because we were obliged by our parents to do so but because we want too and you can’t explain the mix emotions you get when her holy image passes by. 

We can’t afford to be a voyadores since I am a girl and my brother, I don’t know if he has the guts to be tough and all but together with our friends we make good pictures and share it to the world. That way we can contribute to spread the devotion and give a glimpse of the traslacion to all our fellow bicolanos around the globe who can’t make it home. The weather, the smell, the environment you have to endure it along with other devotees men and women young and old alike.

Ina is the mother of all bicolanos. We are lucky she is just a ride a way. We are lucky we are under her mantle. I am lucky she makes my mom ok. And if there is one wish I want right now is that may she heal all those who are suffering from illness specially those who were able to read this and believe in her.

As bicolano may we continue to pray, honor and believed in Ina through the rest of our life.

Viva la virgin! Viva!

photo credits and with permission by jojo prieto