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 0014
Series of 2021
TO: ALL THE PRIESTS AND FAITHFUL IN
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES
RE: PEÑAFRANCIA CELEBRATION 2021
Three months from now, we shall once again celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The Archdiocese of Caceres, as the seat of the devotion, fulfills her sacred duty to prepare for Peñafrancia Fiesta by following Our Lady’s example as a caring mother. She cradled her Son Jesus from birth and reared Him so He may fulfill His mission on earth. As her devotees, we are also called to care for each other, so we may fulfill our mission as Christ’s Church.
We recognize the longing of many devotees for the traditional devotional practices. Truly, such practices have contributed to the propagation of the devotion. But given the fact that the Covid19 pandemic continues to be a threat to public health, it is of higher value to celebrate the Peñafrancia Fiesta in solemn thanksgiving to our Ina who has always protected us from harm. As the pinnacle of our Marian feasts, the Peñafrancia Fiesta unites devotees from different geographies and generations. This year, the fiesta will unite devotees in prayer and reflection while we strictly observe health protocols and other precautionary measures.
Therefore, please be guided by the following:
We encourage families to practice the devotion in their respective homes. Families are asked to recite the novena to the Divino Rostro from September 1-9 and the novena to Our Lady of Peñafrancia from September 10-18, 2021. Novena prayers and family guide are available on the Archdiocesan website (www.archdioceseofcaceres.org).
Parishes shall hold novenary Masses during the abovementioned dates. All public Masses shall observe necessary health protocols.
Parishes will not conduct the traditional “Pagsungko ni Ina” before the month of September.
On September 19, 2021, 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.
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.
There will be no kissing or touching of the images.
The traditional Traslacion and Fluvial Processions and all other forms of foot processions are cancelled this year. Motorcade Processions on September 10 and 19 may be done with proper coordination with the LGU.
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.
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: Sharing the Gift of Faith in the Spirit of the Faithful Obedience of Mary and Joseph (An Paghiras kan Balaog nin Pagtubod sa Espiritu nin Maimbod na Pagkuyog ni Maria asin Jose). 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 7th day of June in the Year of our Lord, 2021.
In Christ,
✠ROLANDO J. TRIA TIRONA, O.C.D., D.D.
Archbishop of Caceres