Over a million devotees are expected to flock in the city of Naga starting next week to take part in the celebration of the Bicol Region’s most revered Catholic icon, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, or Ina. With thousands of male devotees called “voyadores” bringing the image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia from its shrine at the Basilica Minore to the Metropolitan Naga Cathedral in a 3-kilometer procession called “traslacion”. The nine-day religious fiesta of the Bicol patroness will start on September 8, Friday to reenact a tradition that started 307 years ago.

In preparation for the festivity of our Lady of Peñafrancia, “Pagsungko ni Ina” or the Visitation of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia happened at the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) compound last August 23, 2017. MNWD Employees and other devotees of Ina were blessed for this inimitable opportunity. The MNWD compound was adorned with yellow-colored flaglets and a Holy Mass was celebrated at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon in honor of the visit of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Holy face of Jesus or the Divino Rostro.

Under overcast skies, the procession started to move out at 4:30 p.m. from the MNWD compound. The icon of the Divino Rostro preceded the Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia together with the MNWD employees and devotees as they walk along with INA on her way home to the Immaculate Conception Parish while singing the hymn “Resuene vibrante”. This was a yearly commitment of MNWD to the patroness of Bicolandia for her incalculable blessings all throughout the year.

Viva la Virgen!