Hundreds flock to Our Lady of Peñafrancia celebration
By J.D. Long-García | Oct. 2, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
CHANDLER — Filipinos from across the Phoenix Diocese gathered at St. Mary Parish Sept. 19 to honor the Blessed Mother.
The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, popular in the Philippines, dates back to 1434 when Fr. Simon Vela found a Marian icon buried centuries before in France. The image was excavated from a cave on a rocky mountain.
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Devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia— which literally means rocky hill of France — began in the Philippines in the 17th century. The icon portrays the Virgin Mother holding up the Child Jesus.
“We all know who that little boy is she’s holding up,” said Fr. Daniel McBride, pastor of St. Mary, during his homily. “It’s her pride and joy. We know who she’s calling our attention to.”
The three Filipino sisters from St. Daniel the Prophet School — Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church — made a point of coming to the procession, Mass and reception.
“It’s an ongoing formation, spiritually,” said Sr. Elsa Cavite. The three sisters are from the Archdiocese of Caceres in the Philippines, where they experiences a much bigger celebration.
In Philippines, hundreds of thousands mark the day with a procession on the water in Naga City. Men take a statue of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in a long wooden boat called a banka and sail down the Bicol River while praying the rosary.
“We learn that we need to nourish and propagate the tradition,” Sr. Elsa said. “It’s a way of life for us.”
Rose Cavagnaro, who helped organize the event, said that the Blessed Mother had a hand in organizing it. Next year will mark the 300th anniversary of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in the Philippines.
According to some estimates, more than 800 joined the procession at St. Mary this year. St. Mary parishioners joined with other Filipino Catholics to honor Our Lady.
During the Mass after the procession, Fr. McBride announced parish plans build a new campus near McQueen and Queen Creek roads. A shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Peñafrancia is planned for the church.
“There is no other that has served our Lord as faithfully as our Blessed Mother,” said Fr. Jess Ty, parochial vicar at St. Mary. “She deserves our love.”
