The streets of Naga City once again became a powerful expression of Filipino Marian devotion as hundreds of thousands of faithful gathered for the Peñafrancia Festival, honoring Our Lady of Peñafrancia, affectionately known as “Ina”.
Photos by Vince Carlo Puno, JV Bohos, Jireh Custodio, Jo De La Trinidad, AJ Deang, Mikka Ella Fernandez & Marc Maleniza
The 2026 Traslacion drew in Devotees filling the streets as the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro were carried toward the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. The procession opened the novena week, bringing together pilgrims, families, volunteers, and generations of devotees in a shared expression of faith.
A Marian Tradition Rooted in Faith
For generations, Peñafrancia has been more than a festival. It has become one of the most recognizable expressions of Marian devotion in the Philippines, particularly among the people of Bicol.
At the heart of the celebration is the Filipino relationship with Mary as “Ina”, a mother who leads her children toward Christ. The devotion invites pilgrims not simply to honor an image, but to rediscover the faith that Mary herself embodies trust in God, humility, obedience, and unwavering hope.
The Traslacion expresses this devotion visibly. As the image moves through the streets, the faithful walk alongside it in prayer, song, and thanksgiving. The journey becomes a communal act of faith, connecting generations of communities from Bicol and devotees from beyond the region.
When Devotion Becomes a journey
The great crowds surrounding Peñafrancia reveal something deeply Filipino about Catholic faith: devotion is often lived through participation.
People travel long distances, walk alongside the procession, pray the novena, and return year after year. For many families, the celebration becomes part of their spiritual heritage, with devotion to Ina passed from parents and grandparents to younger generations.
This year’s Traslacion again demonstrated the extraordinary scale of that devotion. After the procession reached the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mass marked the beginning of the novena week, continuing the spiritual preparation for the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
The celebration will culminate with the traditional fluvial procession, when the sacred images are carried along the Naga River before returning to the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore.
Mary Leads the Faithful Toward Christ
The enduring strength of Peñafrancia ultimately rests not in the size of the celebration but in what it points toward.
Photos by Vince Carlo Puno, JV Bohos, Jireh Custodio, Jo De La Trinidad, AJ Deang, Mikka Ella Fernandez & Marc Maleniza
Mary’s place in Catholic devotion is always Christ-centered. Her example teaches believers to respond to God’s call with faith and to remain close to Christ through every season of life.
As thousands gather beneath the title of Ina, the Peñafrancia celebration becomes a reminder that faith can unite generations, families, communities, and pilgrims in one shared spiritual journey.
The streets of Naga may eventually become quiet again, but the devotion carried through them continues in the hearts of those who came to pray, give thanks, and entrust their lives to God through the loving intercession of Mary.
A Spiritual Resolution
- Confession, received with a sincere heart, allows pilgrims to approach God with humility and renewed faith.
- Adoration, spent before Christ, reminds the faithful that every Marian devotion ultimately leads to Jesus.
- The Rosary, prayed with Mary, helps families contemplate the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
- The Eucharist, at the center of Catholic life, unites the faithful with Christ and with one another.
- Scripture, especially Mary’s humble response to God’s will, teaches believers to trust God and say yes to His call.
Peñafrancia is ultimately more than a procession through the streets of Naga. It is a journey of faith a people walking together with Mary toward her son, carrying generations of prayer, gratitude, and hope.
To stay connected with Catholic news and global Church developments, visit EWTN Vatican or explore Catholic programming on the EWTN Flix app and EWTN Asia Pacific On Demand.
