History of Virgin of Peñafrancia

Media

Part of The Bicol Star

Title: History of Virgin of Peñafrancia
Creator: Yllana, Florencio C.
Language: English
Year: 1964
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Fulltext: Page 2-B ★ The BICOL STAR* September 12, 1964 Message Archdiocese of Caceres Naga City, Philippines MESSAGE Most Rev PEDRO P. SANTOS Once again, the day when the Bicolano people as a whole honors their Mother and Patroness ie here. Bieo'andia celebrates again the feast of our Lady of Penafrancia. This devotion of ours, to God’s Mother, who is also oar Mother, must flower forth not from sentimentality, not so much even from mystery as from knowledge and insight. We must know Mary, unique creature that she ie, so that our devotion to her may have a meaning in our daily life as Christians. In the Mother of God, who is also ours, we encounter in human form God’s plan for man. But in her we glimpse not sa much God’s design for a single human being, as His plan for all human beings. Mary is essentially representative of humanity redeemed; she symbolizes in her person what God intends for the whole Cbureh. What the Mother of God is, the Church is and is destined to be. And what does this mean to us? Since the Church is us — the baptized — we must, like Mary, be redeemed and be totally redeemed. Like her, we most be more and mere conformed to the Life and death of our Lord. We must live up to our baptismal promises of dying daily to ein and to Satan, his pomps and bis works, and rising in the new life of God’s goodness and mercy and love and life. We must imitate Mary in letting God take possession of us more and mere and letting His love work its wonders in us. Let us, then, ask of our Lady of Penafran ia, whom we honor in great rejoicing, to learn to be nothing, like her, but totally receptivity — an active receptivity so that when we hear Ged’s word, we welcome it within us. On this depends our holiness, our oneness wilh God — the openness, the freedom with which we can answer “Amen,” I’May all that you have said ba fulfilled in me.” (Lk. 1:38) (Sgd.) Pedro P. Santos Archbishop History of Virgin of Penafrancia by Mgri. Fr. Florencio C. Y Ilana, V.G.,D.P. of the Diocese of Sorsogon Contrary to what its name seems to indicate and tbe claim of some writers, the Penafrancia devotion is not of French origin. History tells that the primitive image of the Virgin of Penafranoia as now venerated in Bicolandia was found on the slopes of Sierra de Franeia, a mountain range situated between Spain’s two famous Provinces: Salamanca and Caceres. It is a noteworthy coincidince that while the primitive image waB fi und near CACERES, in Spain, its carbon copy has come to stay in NUEVA CACERES, in the Philippines. While tbe place where the image was found is a Spanish territory, tbe one who found it was a Freneh citizen. Simon Vela, tbe man siDgled out with this special favor by heaven, was the sole heir to a rich French family. With bis heart burning in great anxieties to dedicate himself to the service of God, he turned his back on the turmoil of the world and entered the aonvent. Simon became famous very soon among tbe members ef his com munity for his exceptional devotion to tbe Blessed Virgin Mary. One nigbt be heard a voice saying;"Simon, donot sleep; go to Pena de Fiancia; on tbe part where the sun sets (a la parte del poniente) and there you will find an image of the Virgin which shall be afterwards an object of great devotion.” Simon lost no time and after putting on tbe clothes of a pilgrim, he began to search for the image. Tbe words "Pena de Francia’’ and on the part where tbe sun sets induced Simon io believe that the image was to be found on a place situated in tbe western part of France. So to this place he directed his steps. After 5 long and weary years of futile quest in these parts, he decided to write "finish” to bis mission and give it up. One night however, he heard again tbe divine voice saying: “Simon, do net stop. A great reward awaits a great sacrifice and yours will be great ” So Simon renewed again hie trips. After visiting all the western part of France, torn and tired, without any success, he was again tempted to give up. But the voice was so inspiring and the message so sublime that be deemed it wise to obey rather than to ignore it. So he went on with bis mission. At that time a great number of pilgrims bound for the tomb of Santiago de Compostela, the Patron Saint of Spain, were passing by the street commonly known a9 tbe”paso Frances.” (The French road) Simon wbo went with them asked for Pena de Franeia from whomsoeverfihe met but nobody could give him a satisfactory answer. Having heard of the famous University of Salamanca and hoping perhaps to ask about Pefia de Franeia from the wise professors of that institution of learning there he went. He reached Salamanca on a market day. Here accidentally, or rather, (Con’t. on page 17) MESSAGE CONG. JUAN Ft TRI VINO Through Bicolaodia’s most durable weekly, THE BICOL STAR, 1 extend my warm weleome to the pilgrims and devotees who will once again flock to the City of Naga to join the solemn festivities in honor of the Blessed Virgin of Penafrancia. Thia annual blessed event ie without parallel in the Bicol region. For on this occasion, Bicolanos from all parts of the country pray as one in intercession and in thanksgiving for the Almighty’s blessings. I hope that this unity enkindled by the Blessed Virgin ef Penafrncia will spur the people ef the region towards a better and gutter political and economic grals. (Sgd.) JUAN F. TRIVINO Congressman 1st Dist.j Gamarinee Sur Pres. MACAPAGAL I join the people of the Bicol region in honoring their Patroness, the Blessed Virgin of Penafrancia, on the occasion of the Regional Fiesta of the Bicol Region. This event should afford the people of this region an opportunity to give thanks for the benefits and blessings that the year just past has brought them. This gesture is appropriate not only because of the deeprooted attachment of the people of Bicol to the Virgin of Penafrancia,' but also because gratitude has long been one of the cherished virtues of the Filipino people. It is my hope that the Virgin of Penafrancia will continue to guide the people of Bicolandia in their effort to promote their welfare and happiness. May this be happy and holy celebration. 3 (Sgd.) DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL President of; tbe Philippines Message Warm regards and best wishes to the good paopl e of Bicolandia on the occasion of their annual celebration of the Bicol Regional Fiesta this year. I also extend my greetings and congratulations to the editorial Btaff of the Bicol Star for making possible the publicity of a souvenir program of the a f f • ir Fiesta celebration marks the day of reckoning for all. It is an eventual day ef pleasure and enjoyment after having continuous struggle for survival. In effect, it maybe considered the turning point a of progressive and better tomorrow for our country and people. It is my fervent hope, therefore, that the good residents of Bicolandia will continue to aim for much-better endeavors and bigger things and keep faith with the traditions and ideals handed down to us by our founding fathers. For it has been my avowed policy to let our people strive for the best in everything and nothing less. Godspeed! (Sgd.) FERDINAND E; MARCOS Senate President MESSAGE Greetings to the “Bicol Star” on the occasion of its special issue in honor of the Penafrancia Fiesta (Bicol Regional Fiesta) on September 11-20, 1964. Your weekly newspaper is a proud possession of a community that cherishes, and lives by, the concept of freedom. I observed that the Bicol Star has maintained a fresh, frank and fearless approach to important issuesand thereby not only strengthened public acceptance of the paper itself, but also provided proof that there is freedom of tbe press in this country. I hope tbe Bicol Star will give its readers the kind of independent journalism that wins both prestige and patronage and continue to demonstrate that one of the precious boons of our way of life, that of freedom of the press, ie alive and real. With your full cooperation, I am sure the Bicol Regional ^Fiesta will be areal success. May I wish the editor and staff members more success ia their earnest endeavors to serve the community they have ehosen C0RNELI0 T. VILLAREAL Speaker House of Representatives Page 17 ★ The BICOL STAR September 12, 1964 A Lady.. Work and— Religious History of Professor. Minor Seminary Reverend Ludwig Pimentel Professor. Naga Seminarv ; The ABELLA FAMILY donates tbe “PAGODA” of the Virgin of Pefiafrancia and the Divino Rostro. The Ateneo de Naga Band will play during the procession up to the Bicol River bank. slopee of Pefia de Franeia. get (1964-1965), on the deSimon heard these last words velopnent plans of various newsmen that feelers have providentially a discussion and w’thout uttering a word, seenic and historical Bites been sent to him for a 1965 arose between two vendors he fo,*owed the vendor on in the province. dr.ft and that urlmimrs h»vn arose between two vendors he ^°howed the vendor on in the province. draft and that admirers have about the quality of the coal hi?*ay ho,m<- . . o Mr8‘ Adkin8 8aid that opened a campaign beadthey were selling and one Whea he reached San there are many potential quarters for him in Manila, of them vouched that they M#rtin de Castafiar, a vil- tourist attractions not only He eaid, he closed the were of g*od quality because lage at the foot of Pefla do in Sorsogon but in tbe campaign office and told his they were taken from the Franoia- he immediately ap- other Bicol Provinces whit* friends to forget politics in proacbed some people and could be developed to order the meantime.—J.D.D. fortunately, he was able to for the tourist trade.—J.D.D get information about tbe exact place of Pefia de o ---- Franeia, the very place where Kev. Msgr. afterward8 be found the Kegamt, D.P. object of hig pi|griMge. ' P“'*Sh Ju8t ag bfl begaP digKin the place indicated to him, in a dream he had tbe night before, a divine voice counovllvd him not to go to the mountains without compaTabaco, Albay (kiosk) 9:00 a:m.—SOLEMN MASS by the Rt« A n t o o io „___,__ Vicar Forane and Parish Priest, Daet C. N, . 9:00 a m.—LOW MASS by •, the Very Rev- Msgr. Vi- b c?nte Vargas, P.C. Parish el|ed ’hil Priest, Buhi, Camarines ° Sur (kiosk) 9:30 a.m.- LC . ____ __ the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Demetrio Valeza, D.P. Parish Priest, Guinobatan, Albay irJnA0^k2 t ciw Mica k„ »o eimwn went sown ana 10:00 a m.-LOW MASS by brou bt with him Antonio the Very Reverend Jesus Fern^dez, jUBn Paeoual, Varela JCD Secretary and Pascuaj Sa’nchez, juan Fe/ Chancellor Archdiocese of nande2 and Benit0 Sanchei> —v,“ m»uuiuK, ,a'ereB MASc k ^e “escribano” of the place, the Saered Images will be »• m.—LOW MASS by and finai|y On May 19,1434, “ Kev. Msn.ror. as tQey removtda bjg stone, following a divine inspiration, DONORS OF THE PAGODA: Mrs. Bibiana Diaz Guysayko Engr. Domingo Diaz y Abella Atty. Ramon Diaz y Abella Mrs. Aida Abella de Felipe Mrs. Socorro Abella de Soriana Dr. Manuel Abella Dr. Domingo Abella Mrs. Renee Abella Mrs. Magdalena Abella Jimenez At the Penafranoia Landing, Lim received by: Hie Excellency, the Most Reverend Pedro P. Santoe, D.D. Archbishop of Ca—J. D.D. 1 ^['7 HOLLOW BLOCK . UKUL & TILES FACTORY ° rnvv Mica k„ nion8 who would serve as nJ. Tbe heaven., it seems, would like to remove any possibility ot doubt with regards to this miracle. So Simon went down and (BUILDER'S CHOICE) Manufacturers in: * Hollow Biecks * Cement Tiles (Plained & Designed) * Concrete PipeB * Grwaulethic Marble Works * And other decorated cement products D. CRUZ- Mgr. Dealer in: * Gravel * Sand * Boulders * Earth Fill * Other Road Materials Concepcion, Naga City VIVA LA VIRGEN! on the occasion of Her Festival OUR FIESTA OFFERING the Very Rev. Msgr. Porfirio Iligan, P.C. Oecone- IOHO a Qlvine in8pirauon, mus, Archdiocese of Caceres they fo‘nd the mostHeoveted image of the Virgin of Pefiaceres, assisted by the Very 12:00 noon-LOW MASS.... “X° Reverend TecC_ ~ ,-k.r-i Lancia. Pacis, C.M. Rector Naga Seminary, together with some Vinoentian Fathers. The Bleased Virgin’s Image atimo C. AFTERNOON: (shrine) Of 4:00 p.m. —LOW MASS by tbe Very Rev. Msgr. Alfred® Yllana, P.C. Vicar Forane and Parish Priest, ...e.u« .U..KV Libmanan.CS. will be placed on the altar, 4:30 p m. — LAST DAY OF at the Penafrancia Kiosk. THE NOVENA where a LOW MASS will Officiating— Rt. Rev. Msgr. be said by: Pedro Lanuza, D.P, Vicar Rt. Rev Msgr. Florencio forane and Parish Priest C. Yllana, D.P. Iriga, Camarines Sur Administrator, Diocese of Sorsogon 5:00 p-m.—LOW MASS by «- -• tbe Rev. Msgr. Florencio Yllana, D.P. Administrator. D i o c see of c.^ntSOgOQ r . mese miracles auu mis uia5.30 p.m. LOW MASS by COvery, duly signed by those the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Pedro present aDC] the Notary Lenuza, D.J\,____ Public of the plaee, is reifo/ r>“~ -----W-served in the archives of the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Nica- $an Martin de Castanar to nor Belleza, D. P. Vicar 8erve as eloquent, if mute. General, Archdiocese of witnese to the past, preeeat Caceres d fut generations of Altar 5e/-pfce----Semiaari&nc of Naga Major Seminary Mass Donor— Mr. and Mrs. Felix Bellen Pili, Camarines Sur SUNDAY, September 20: 3:00 a m.-LOW MASSES „ruu.B „ r begin at the Shrine and at 6:00p.m. —LOW MASS by the PenafraBCia Kiosk. n. d — — k t ;-- •c ,vc c ’_ 6:00 a.m.—SOLEMN PONTIFICAL MASS—(Pefiafrancia Kiosk) srr. rWi» Santue, D.D. Archbishop of Caceres Deacons of Honor-— A Vincentian Father Naga Major SemiDary A Vincentian Father Naga Major Seminary Assisting Presbiter......Very Rev, Teotiso C. Pacisi C.M. Rector, Naga Major Seminary Deacon......Reverend Quirino Duran . Assistant Priest, Iriga, CamariSubdeaeon— Reverend Rustico Recepcien Assistant Priest, Nabua, Camarines Sur Preacher----- Reverend Jaime San Andres, B.S.E1 Professor Naga Minor Seminary, Master of Ceremonies-—Reverend Jesus Larrafieta, C.M. Altar Service — • Seminarians of Naga Major Seminary Choir— Minor Seminarians of Naga Minor Seminary under the direction of Reverend Honeeto Badilla 8:00a.m.—SOLEMN HIGH MASS by the Rev. Msgr. Dominador Perez, D.P. Rector, Naga Minor Seminary 7:30 a mt—LOW MASS by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Concordio Sanchez, D.P. Principal, Naga Minor Seminary (Kiosk) 8:00 a m. —LOW MASS by the Rt Rev Msgr. Justiniano Valeza, D P. Parish Priest, Ligao, Albay (kiosk) 8:30 a.m.-LOW MASS by tbe Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jose Belleza, D.P. Parish Priest, tbe Rt Rev Msgr. Joae Sanchez, D.P. V.car General, Diocese ef Legazpi 7.00 p.m.— LOW MASS.... 7:30 p,m. — LOW MASS.... 8 00 p.m. " ‘ MASS., Alex Theatre Sept. 14—20, 1964 Bernard BONNIN — Amalia FUENTES Right there and then all these men received special graces from tbe Virgin. Si men Vela's wound in the head was instantly cured; Pascual Sanches’ defect in the eye disappeared; Juan Fernandez got rid of bis ten years old stomach trouble; Antonio Fernand es who was deaf began to hear and finally, Benito Sanchex’ finger which was defective from birth, recovered its normal stage. The official document of these miracles and this disOUR OWN PENAFRANCIA Way back in the 17th ----------- century, a Spanish family LAST LOW from San Martin de Casta(Con’t. on page 18) OUR LADY MEDIATRIX HOSPITAL Iriga, Camarines Sur Dept, of Health Permit No. 7-N Member, Pbll, Hospital Association HOUSE STAFF: Dr. Andres C. Gonzales F.P.G S;F.IC.S; - Director Chief Surgeon Dr. C. F. Domasing-Gonzalies F.I.C.S • Administrator and Surgeon Obstetrician Associate Rtsidenl Physician Dietician Pharmacist Dr. Nonito P. Arroyo - - Dr. Romeo O. Berina - - Dr. Napoleon C. Punsalan - Dr. Erlando E. Romero Mrs. Rafaela F. Domasing Mrs. Minnie T. Arroyo • CONSULTANTS (By arrangement) Dr. Antonio P. Sibulo - Dr. Salvador Felipe - - * With facilities for General Surgery, Fluoroscopy, Diagnostic X—Ray Infra Red & Ultra Violet Therapy Cardiologist Anesthesiologist Complete Nursing Staff. Holy Mare every Sunday and Holiday of obligation at 8.30 A.m. Ang Duwende Sa Kampanaryo Bichara Theatre Sept. 15—21, 1964 MGM’s ACTION DRAMA Secret Seven —ALSO— Maciste Against the Sheik Vic Theatre Septi 15—21, 1964 JESS LAPID Ans Pinakakilabot — Naga City — ; hi ovlhorify ot Tta Coca-Cola Company by SAN MIGUEL BREWERY NAGA COCA-COLA PLANT