Peñafrancia Festival
Naga City, 3rd Saturday of September
Bicol Region's biggest celebration is an annual affair that combines religion with culture and tradition, packing it all in a 9-day fiesta of biblical proportions. Stay until sundown for stirring climax: the fluvial parade as it makes its way down the river, surrounded by a sea of glowing candles - a fitting end of this truly spiritual occasion.
The Penafrancia Festival or the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol. The feast day is preceded by a novena, nine days of prayer, in honor of the Virgin.
On the first day of the Penafrañcia Festival, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. The statue of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is carried on the shoulders of male devotees. On the last 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.
When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees shout "Viva la Virgen" (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is brought back in a procession to the cathedral.
The ritual transfer is known as translucion, and during the one-mile hike, devotees vie for the honor of carrying the statue on their shoulders. Thousands of believing arms stretch up from a sea of bodies desperate to touch the image of our Lady of Peñafrancia.
The famous Madonna of the Peñafrancia Festival is believed to have miraculous powers. On her Penafrañcia Festival feast day, pilgrims gather at her shrine to pay her homage for favors received.
Naga City, 3rd Saturday of September
Bicol Region's biggest celebration is an annual affair that combines religion with culture and tradition, packing it all in a 9-day fiesta of biblical proportions. Stay until sundown for stirring climax: the fluvial parade as it makes its way down the river, surrounded by a sea of glowing candles - a fitting end of this truly spiritual occasion.
The Penafrancia Festival or the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol. The feast day is preceded by a novena, nine days of prayer, in honor of the Virgin.
On the first day of the Penafrañcia Festival, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. The statue of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is carried on the shoulders of male devotees. On the last 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.
When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees shout "Viva la Virgen" (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is brought back in a procession to the cathedral.
The ritual transfer is known as translucion, and during the one-mile hike, devotees vie for the honor of carrying the statue on their shoulders. Thousands of believing arms stretch up from a sea of bodies desperate to touch the image of our Lady of Peñafrancia.
The famous Madonna of the Peñafrancia Festival is believed to have miraculous powers. On her Penafrañcia Festival feast day, pilgrims gather at her shrine to pay her homage for favors received.
