MANILA, Philippines – Nasa 1.2 milyong deboto ang nakiisa sa fluvial procession ng El Divino Rostro at Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia sa Naga City ngayong taon.
Ayon sa Naga City local government unit, ang pagdagsa ng mga deboto ay “incredible.”
“1.2 million strong,” sinabi pa sa post ng Naga LGU.
“Seen from above, the faithful continue their journey in an atmosphere of prayer, reflection, and devotion,” saad sa caption ng archdiocese.
“As the procession remains under way, devotees and pilgrims come together in observance, carrying with them a spirit of faith and reverence,” dagdag pa.
Isinagawa naman ang Banal na Misa sa Quadricentennial Arch ng Naga Metropolitan Cathedral at Parish of St. John the Evangelist bago ang prusisyon.
Pinangunahan ito ni Cotabato Archbishop Most Rev. Charlie Inzon, OMI, DD.
Sa kanyang homily sa ikasiyam na novena para kay Our Lady of Peñafrancia, ipinakita ni Inzon ang maternal bond sa pagitan ni Virgin Mary at ng mga deboto.
“We call her ‘Ina’… and perhaps, this is one of the secrets of our devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. We come to her not as strangers approaching a distant queen but as children of Ina coming home to their mother,” ani Inzon.
“Deep within our hearts, as children, is the confidence that Ina, our mother, understands us. Ina knows us, and Ina will bring us to Jesus with whatever petitions we offer to her,” dagdag pa.
Ginaganap ang Fluvial Procession taon-taon sa Naga City na nagsisimbolo sa pagbabalik ng “Ina” sa kanyang sanktwaryo at marka ng pagsisimula ng Peñafrancia Festival, isa sa pinakamalaking selebrasyon sa Bicol. RNT/JGC
