Camino de Peñafrancia Pilgrims join the Traslacion
picture taken outside the shrine.
The second Friday of September marks the feast day of the Divino Rostro, following the novena at the shrine. During the Traslacion procession, the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro are carried by barefoot male pilgrims from the basilica through the main streets of the city to the cathedral. This procession, which usually lasts four hours, welcomes thousands of devotees from all over Bicol and other parts of the country. The devotion began in 1710 when Miguel Robles de Covarrubias had an image carved, a chapel built, and processions held in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia to acknowledge the many favors he is said to have received through the Virgin’s help, especially regarding his health.
The image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is transferred at dawn from Peñafrancia Basilica to her old home for the Traslación in the afternoon. After the procession, a community and thanksgiving Mass celebrate the feast of the Divino Rostro. Bishops and delegates from other dioceses in the country then attend a Pontifical Mass, concelebrated by the Archbishop of Cáceres outside the shrine.
The Traslación begins after the noon Mass with the procession of students, delegates from other regions, teachers, government officials, and other professionals while the images are being prepared. At around three o’clock in the afternoon, the Divino Rostro icon leaves the shrine and heads to Naga Cathedral. After a recital of the Rosary, the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia follows, more slowly than the Divino Rostro. After two or three hours, the Divino Rostro icon arrives at the cathedral, and after an hour, the image of Our Lady enters via the Porta Mariae (Gate of Mary). A Solemn Pontifical Mass on the first day of the novena is celebrated after the procession at the Quadricentennial Arch at the cathedral grounds. In the conclusion of the Mass, the two images are transferred inside the cathedral to begin the novena for Our Lady as the people sing the hymn, Resuene Vibrante.
The highlight of our Camino pilgrimage has been nothing short of transformative. Over the course of 10 inspiring days, we traversed two provinces in the beautiful Bicol region, undertaking the spiritual journey of visiting 39 parishes along the way. This culminated in our participation in the Traslacion, a deeply rooted tradition that has been celebrated annually for more than 300 years. As a Catholic student, I have fond memories of my formative years at NPS for elementary school and Ateneo for high school. Now, as an adult, I am eager to embrace this significant milestone in my life, marking the dawn of a new chapter that enhances my faith and deepens my appreciation for this cherished pilgrimage tradition.
BUEN CAMINO!
VIVA LA VIRGEN!
VIVA DIVINO ROSTRO!
About the Author
DENNIS T. MARPURI graduated from Ateneo de Naga High School. He was an independent IT consultant in the US and worked in nine different states doing contracts primarily with Federal government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. He also became a professional photographer covering NCAA college sports. Now retired, he and his wife love to travel to Europe. They divide their time between Northern California with their immediate family and Ocampo, Camarines Sur, his hometown, where he promotes mountain biking for the local youth. He is the founder and principal advocate of Camino de Penafrancia.
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