Devotion to Our lady of Penafrancia and its contributions to social transformation of the Bikolanos

• Main Author: Eballo, Mia B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2015
• Subjects: Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint—Devotion to—Philippines—Bicol Peninsula; Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint—Apparitions and miracles—Philippines—Bicol Peninsula; Arts and Humanities; Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/6320
• Institution: De La Salle University

The celebration of our feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia is one of the famous Maria feasts in the Philippines. It is held every September and pilgrims flock Naga City in Camarines Sur to pay their homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title, Our Lady of Penafrancia. The celebration began with the transfer of the image in a procession from the Basilica Minore to the Cathedral and is given honor in novena masses until the fluvial procession through the Bicol River which is the return of the image to her home shrine at the Basilica. Miracles were recorded and were shared by many which have prompted many people to turn to her for help. This paper will present how this devotion moved the Bikolanos towards solidarity and social transformation particularly the public servants. This paper utilized textual analysis and interview to validate the results of the exploration.