Caceres archdiocese working to make Naga pilgrim city

MANILA, Philippines - The Archdiocese of Caceres is working to make Naga City in Camarines Sur a "Pilgrim City" as the center of devotion and home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. An article on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website said an action plan was drawn up after a three-day workshop. "When they come as devotees, they come to Naga and not to any other place in the Bicol Region or in the country. It is neither the clergy nor the devotees who decided that Naga be the center for this devotion. We believe that, as history would reveal, it is the Patroness herself who wants this city to be her home and therefore we should value the place she has chosen," said Fr. Jay Jacinto, secretary of Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi. Jacinto said the workshop included 27 priests from two vicariates in the archdiocese, including the Vicariates of St. John the Evangelist and Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Participants noted the image of "Ina" is based in Naga and Naga should thus be considered as the venue and center for the devotion to her. They added millions of devotees who go there to pray and honor her every year congregate in Naga, not only during the September festival but the whole-year round. Also, they noted that those who go to visit "Ina" at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia consider themselves as pilgrims. The workshop also included finding ways how the devotees can renew their faith in God through "Ina." "This kind of workshop will also be conducted in other vicariates of the archdiocese with priests, lay leaders and religious organization-members as participants. This is a response to the call of the local church leadership that communal discernment be made to preserve the 300 years old devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia," Jacinto said. - GMANews.TV