Parishioners of all backgrounds came together this month to celebrate the annual Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Penrith, which was concelebrated with a Mass at St Nicholas of Myra followed by a traditional Filipino fluvial (water) procession on the Nepean River.
Fluvial procession of Our Lady on the Nepean River. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia originated in Spain, where a wealthy person named Simón Vela discovered the buried image of Our Lady on the mountain of Peña de Francia. Once reports of miraculous healings began, Vela built a chapel to house the image, which was canonically crowned in 1952.
The miraculous story of Our Lady spread throughout the Philippines after an ill Spanish seminarian used the image to relieve his physical pain while in Manila.
The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia remains significant among the Filipino community to this day.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv (centre) Fr John Paul Escalan (third left), Fr Jose Manjaly MS (centre left), Fr Rojan George MS (fourth right) and altar servers. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv concelebrated a special Mass to mark the Feast Day with Fr Jose Manjaly MS, Parish Priest at St Nicholas of Myra; and Fr John Paul Escarlan, the Diocese’s Filipino Chaplaincy Coordinator. More than 50 members of the Australian Devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia were in attendance.
Feast Our Lady of Peñafrancia Mass at St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent said this year’s Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia marked an exciting opportunity as it coincided with the Centenary of the Canonical Coronation of her image in Naga City, the Philippines.
Bishop Vincent concelebrates Mass at St Nicholas of Myra, Penrith. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Bishop Vincent prayed that we may all follow the example of Our Lady.
“Let us strive to imitate her example of constantly discerning and doing God’s will for us,” Bishop Vincent said.
“Mary was anything but a fearful, withdrawn, uncommitted, indifferent person,” he said.
“She made a constant journey into the unknown and surrendered herself to God’s unexpected ways at every twist and turn of her life.”
Bishop Vincent Long concelebrated a special Mass for The Feast Our Lady of Peñafrancia at St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Following the Mass, attendees walked down the Nepean River to begin the fluvial procession –a unique Filipino tradition that involves placing the image of Our Lady on a boat to invoke the patroness to bless the sea and all who derive from it.
Devotees carrying a statue of Our Lady of Peñafrancia to the Nepean River to begin a procession on the water. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Jose Relunia, President of the Australian Devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, said the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia marked a special time for reflection.
“I believe the Blessed Mother has been guiding us for this Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia,” Jose said.
“The Devotees are a close family, we care for each other, and we pray together.”
Noe Adan said the feast day brings back childhood memories.
“Being from Naga City myself and celebrating this feast day since I was a child, I was happy to see that Bishop Vincent enjoyed the fluvial procession,” Noe said.
“I am pleased to see parishioners from all backgrounds join us – it’s a big celebration!”
Norma Evans has been a Devotee for as long as she can remember, having been the Treasurer of the Australian Devotees for nearly 20 years.
“I am so proud to be a part of this community in Penrith,” Norma said.
Devotees adore a statue of Our Lady of Penafrancia during the Feast Day celebrations. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Watch the SBS Filipino coverage of the fluvial procession here.
View the gallery of images from our Flickr below:
