UAE-based Bicolanos begin online novena to Our Lady of Peñafrancia

Instead of the traditional visits to residences of its members for nine days before the observance of the Feast of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Bicol Expats and Extended Members (BEEM) has thought of leading an online novena for its 500-member devotees.

"Since nag-start ang devotion dito sa Al Ain, mayroong novena na ginagawa sa bahay-bahay ng member ng BEEM before the feast day," said Edwin Aga, the group's president.

Photocourtesy: Edwin Aga

"[Pero] dahil nga sa sitwasyon ngayon na may pandemic, magkakaroon na lang ng online novena," the maintenance manager of Al Ain Feed Mill - Mawarid  Services Co. LLC announced in an interview via Messenger on September 7.

Happening for the first time, the online novena in Al Ain will also be led by just one member of the BEEM.

"Same pa rin naman ang mangyayaring novena prayer: yung sponsor for the assigned day will be the one to lead the prayer."

There will just be a "sharing portion" and a "final blessing" from Fr. Ernesto Ablaza, MSP of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Al Ain.

"But dahil hindi kami magkakakitaan ng face-to-face, nagdagdag kami ng sharing portion at the end of the prayer about real-life experiences of devotees in the devotion, and intercession ng Mahal na INA. Then sa patnubay ni Fr. Ernesto Ablaza dito sa St. Mary's Catholic Church-Al Ain, magjo-join din siya and give the final blessings after the prayer."

The online novena will start on September 9th and end on the 17th at 8:00 p.m. (UAE time) via Zoom.

It will also be livestreamed on the BEEM Facebook page.

"Open siya sa lahat na may devotion kay INA. But mayroon din na gaganaping online novena ang group sa Abu Dhabi na same schedule ng dito sa Al Ain. So far kasi, only Al Ain and Abu Dhabi na lang ang nag-cecelebrate ng Peñafrancia dito sa UAE."

"There would also be a feast celebration on September 18 at 12:00 p.m. sa St. Mary's Catholic Church. Open na naman ang church dito sa Al Ain last September 6 but need to register online due to limited seats only," he added.

The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in the Philippines is most popular among Bicolanos, Naga City being at the center of the religions tradition.

Pinoys from home, abroad show their devotion to the Peñafrancia patroness in various ways --from processions, to novenas, and other traditional rites. 

The years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, had seen festive but solemn devotional activities, and fervent prayers during the religious feast celebrated on the third weekend of September. —LBG, GMA News