History of the Peñafrancia Festival
What began as a practical expedient during the time of Manuel Grijalvo, Bishop of Caceres (1848-61), that is to accommodate more devotees and pilgrims, has evolved into a leitmotif that portends a week of religious enthusiasm and energy. The traslacion from the Spanish transladar, meaning to translate or to transfer, is the opening salvo for nine days of prayers. On the afternoon prior to the first day of the novena the images of the Ina and the Divino Rostro are brought in procession to the Cathedral. Formerly, these images were kept in the shrine built by Francisco Gainza, Bishop of Caceres (1862-79), but with the consecration of a new Basilica in 1982 at a site on the opposite bank where the shrine stands, the traslacion today begins at the Basilica. The images mounted on andas or palanquins are carried aloft by men called boyadores. The procession does not move easily but starts and stops, weaves left and right, as other men push their way closer to take their turn in bearing the cherished images. Once arrived at the Cathedral, a good hour or so later, the images are enthroned on altars for the Masses that follow.
For the next eight days, the Cathedral is the center of religious rites. As early as five in the morning, masses are celebrated, the solemn pontifical masses presided by the Bishops of Sorsogon, Legaspi, Masbate, Daet, Libmanan and Virac, regions once part of Caceres but now independent bishoprics. For the Bicolanos, the feast of the Peñafrancia is an occasion for a reunion. Excerpts from the book: “Virgin of Peñafrancia – Mother of Bicol” by Vitaliano R. Gorospe S.J. and Rene B. Javellana S.J. Photos – courtesy of: Archdioces of Caceres Communications Office September 2019 |