– Ross Belle Balatbat
The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated in honor of the birth of our Lady. Though the feast falls on September 8, in the Philippines, it is celebrated on the Sunday after the octave of September 8 which this year falls on the 22nd.
The novena of Masses to Our Lady ran from the 13th to the 21st not only in honor of the “Ina” (“Mother” – as she is commonly called in Bicol Region) but also to the Holy Face of Jesus – “Divino Rostro.” A fellowship dinner was prepared by benefactors, many of whom had witnessed miracles attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
On the 22nd, devotees of the highly-revered patroness of Bicol gathered at the Pastoral Center in Barra. Festivities started at 10 AM with a procession of the venerated images of Ina and the Divino Rostro. The mysteries of the Holy Rosary were recited until the procession reached the Saint Augustine Church where a Pontifical Mass was held at 11 AM, with Fr Alejandre Vergara, SOLT, celebrating and Fr Samuel Agcarakar, SVD as concelebrant. This year is the 21st year of the feast in Macau.
A fellowship lunch was prepared followed by a program at Our Lady of Fatima Church auditorium in Toi San.
Fr Andy reminded everyone that each baptized Christian is a missionary with the mission to redeem one another. So we should not condemn, we should support one another and not cause any brokenness to others. To be missionaries we need to have a youthful heart and be cheerful.
The Philippine Consulate General of Macau, Consul General Lilybeth Deapera, was also present and graced the occasion. She appreciated the presence of the different Filipino communities who mostly are new faces for her and she encouraged all present to remain united.
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