C I R C U L A R

ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES Office of the Archbishop Archbishop’s Residence Naga City

C I R C U L A R

Number 0018 Series of 2020

TO: ALL THE PRIESTS AND FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES RE: PEÑAFRANCIA CELEBRATION 2020

As the Archdiocese of Caceres prepares for the annual celebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta for this year 2020, we remember with deep gratitude how Our “Ina” protects our families from harm and sickness. She is our refuge in times of difficulties and calamities. In thanksgiving and as we look forward to celebrate her feast, we, her devotees, shall follow her example as a steward of life. She calls us to care for each other as she cared for her son, Jesus, as He fulfilled His mission on earth. And so, cognizant of the fact that Covid19 continues to pose a threat to public health, we are introducing some changes in our traditional celebration of the fiesta while expressing the same fervent devotion to “Ina” and imploring her maternal protection:

a. We encourage families to practice the devotion in their respective homes. Families are asked to recite the novena to the Divino Rostro from September 2-10 and the novena to Our Lady of Peñafrancia from September 11-19, 2020. Novena prayers and family guide are available on the Archdiocesan website (www.archdioceseofcaceres.org).

b. Parishes shall hold novenary Masses during the abovementioned dates. All public Masses shall observe necessary health protocols.

c. Parishes shall continue to conduct the traditional “Pagsungko ni Ina”, without any form of procession, before the month of September. All other forms of procession are cancelled.

d. On September 20, 2020, the Solemnity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Fiesta Mass shall be streamed live from the Basilica Minore. Parishes will be asked to air the livestreaming in their respective areas for the benefit of their parishioners.

e. We encourage pilgrims and devotees from outside Naga City to attend the novena Masses at their respective parishes or the novena Masses aired through media and internet.

f. There will be no kissing or touching of the images.

g. The traditional Traslacion and Fluvial Processions and all other forms of procession are cancelled this year. The images of the Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peñafrancia will remain at the Peñafrancia Parish Church and Basilica Minore, respectively, during the entire duration of the festivities.

h. Other dioceses in Bikol are highly encouraged to hold novena Masses on the same dates so devotees residing in their localities may also express their devotion without the need to come to Naga City.

While we cancel the traditional Traslacion and Fluvial processions, let us take this as an opportunity for the devotion to become more distinctive and rooted in our families, the domestic Church. This year, we are also invited to reflect on the theme: Fostering Dialogue and Harmony in the Spirit of Mary’s Gentleness and Humility. The changes in our celebration should inspire us to discover how our faith can lead us to be gentle and humble in receiving the grace of God in the face of this pandemic.

Let us pray for God’s mercy and compassion in the protection of the Divino Rostro and through the intercession of Our “Ina”, Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Given at the Chancery, Pilgrim City of Naga, Republic of the Philippines, this 27th day of June in the Year of our Lord, 2020.

In Christ,

✠ROLANDO J. TRIA TIRONA, O.C.D., D.D. Archbishop of Caceres