PNR: Pilgrimage train leaves Tutuban Station, heads for Bicol

Amid traditional fireworks, a pilgrimage train bearing the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Bicol's patroness, pulled out of the Philippine National Railways' Tutuban station in Manila Wednesday morning. The PNR said the pilgrimage train, which left the station shortly before 8 a.m., was expected to reach Naga City in Camarines Sur at 8 p.m. "The pre-departure Mass for "Ina" (Mother) has ended. Pilgrimage Train (is) now pulling out of Tutuban Station. Traditional fireworks started," it said on its Twitter account at 7:57 a.m. It added the estimated time of arrival in Naga City is 8 p.m. On Tuesday night, the PNR had held a Mass and vigil at the Tutuban station in honor of the patroness. The return of the patroness' pilgrim image to Naga is in time for the week-long celebration of the Peñafrancia fiesta on the third week of the month, according to an article on Church-based site YouthPinoy.com. Earlier, the PNR invited devotees to join Ina’s trip back home for special rates. YouthPinoy said the Pilgrim Train is to make "prayer whistlestops" in Tagkawayan (Quezon), and areas in Camarines Sur including Del Gallego, Godofredo Reyes Sr., Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Libmanan and Pamplona. — LBG, GMA News