NAGA CITY, February 1, 2009—The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi, OP called on the Bicolano faithful to actively participate in the renewal of devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia, popularly known as Ina.

In a pastoral letter entitled “All Generations Will Call Me Blessed” – A Pastoral Letter on the Renewal of Devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia” and read in all the masses last Sunday, the prelate said as everyone prepares for the tercentenary of the devotion to the revered Bicol icon, “we continue the task of renewing our faith through Ina.”

He said the need for renewal has been underscored in a previous pastoral letter entitled Principalmenta a la Misa which outlined the history of the devotion, an examination of the present conduct of devotion specially the traslacion, the fluvial procession and novena.

He said some pastoral suggestions were made to correct, improve and enhance the devotion “yet the heart of the letter is a reminder that authentic devotion leads us to God, principally through and to the Eucharist.”

The prelate said all sectors of society were invited to do communal discernment and dialogue and the Caceres clergy, during the annual retreat last November 2008, “made a communal stand and commitment to take steps not only to curtail present abuses of the devotion, but much more to promote and protect the love our people have for Ina.”

The recent homilies reiterated “with clarity and in continuity with tradition, that the Peñafrancia devotion is principally a religious event.”

PURIFICATION AND STRENGTHENING

The revision of the Novena Prayers has been going on in order to improve the quality of prayer and devotion, the pastoral letter said.

There will be opportunities for healing and reconciliation, including a rite for the blessing of rosaries, roses and handkerchiefs brought by the faithful for their use in prayer has been added to the celebration of the Peñafrancia devotion beginning this year.

After the final novena prayers for the Divino Rostro, the statue of Ina and the image of the Divino Rostro will be transferred from the Basilica to the Peñafrancia Shrine or Santuario through the dawn penitential procession.

The traslacion will start in the afternoon, after the blessing of rosaries, flowers and handkerchiefs.

For the fluvial procession or sakay, ministers at the pagoda will be the bishops of the Bicol region together with diocesan and parish representatives “to highlight the avowed regional character of our devotion.”

Except for people who need to man the pagoda, no other personalities more so political candidates will be allowed to board the pagoda.

Evening and dawn processions during the novena days will be continued. There will also be healing masses to enable devotees to observe penitential and intercessory acts.

A new andas for Ina and Divino Rostro will be used to improve the order and safety during the processions and safety of participants.

The Cofradia de San Jose the group to which the voyadores belong is being organized and revitalized, with its own Constitution and By-Laws.

It is mandated to cooperate and coordinate with the clergy and civil authorities in making the processions solemn and orderly.

The voyadores will be responsible for the conduct of religious activities related to the Peñafrancia fiesta.

Another Church-based group, the Guardias de Maria a special group of voyadores who are members of the Cofradia de San Jose was tasked to protect the image of Ina from defilement towards the orderly and solemn observance of processions in her honor.

“Both organizations will be composed of known, selected, proven and trained devotees of Our Lady of Penafrancia,” pastoral letter stated.

DEEPENING

As various parishes engage in catechetical activities, schools and campus ministries will also take part in discussions concerning the devotion to Ina, the tercentenary celebrations and the Penafrancia fiesta.

In coordination with the Department of Education, activities aim at greater participation by non-sectarian institutions, schools and community.

“In the city and province, and business and private institutions, civic participation’s challenge is foremost on the general public being informed and active concerning the true devotion to Ina,” the pastoral statement said.

Authorities are challenged to provide public facilities, including toilet and bath and public order and safety including traffic flow and street-vending “all for the benefit of devotees especially guests and particularly the handicapped.”

They are also challenged to “attend to those shut-in and unable to participate in the celebration such as those in hospitals and prisons.”

The Catholic Church called on government authorities to review perspectives on street-parties, military parades, beauty pageants and the like “towards more communally beneficial ends by reason of law and public morals.”

CHURCH RESPONSE

“We encourage families, the youth in schools with their mentors, workers in various occupations and persons in different sectors and responsibilities to pray, study, discern and decide how they might share in the tercentenary celebrations and contribute for the good of others, especially those in need,” said Archbishop Legazpi.

He added “efforts even if done singly or individually can bring about cumulative and concrete effects.”

The prelate cited five different ways to actively participate in the celebration of the tercentenary of the devotion to Ina including the call on lay men to join the Cofradia de San Jose in their parishes, volunteer services and talents during the Peñafrancia festivities by contacting the Basilica or the tercentenary committee, share Penafrancia memorabilia, pictures and stories, contribute financially to the projects for the tercentenary and above all, pray the tercentenary prayer daily and offer masses for a fruitful and grace-filled tercentenary celebration.

In conclusion, the prelate called on the faithful not to “miss this graced-moment hereby we actively participate and contribute in the renewal of our devotion to Ina.”

He said it is a privilege to be protagonists in the historic moment in the life of the Bicol Church.

“The tercentenary celebration can only happen once in our lifetime, never to be repeated,” he further said.

He said nobody should fail future generations “who will look back to us in gratitude singing Mary’s Magnificat: ‘From now on all generations will call me blessed.’ (Luke 1: 48)”

“Our response is marked by a spirit of thanksgiving for the gift of devotion—balaog inako, balaog itao—a gift received, a gift to share,” said the prelate, adding “God’s favor is upon us, let us return this favor to God.” (Elmer Abad/Melo Acuna)