_{A Story of Love and Devotion by the Endearing Devotees of Ina}

1. Invasion of Spain by the Moors ( 711- 719 )
War between the invading Moors and helpless Christians. Christians were defeated, their homes and churches burned. With their prized possesions, particularly sacred images of their devotion, they fled to the mountains. French Christians settled in the mountains betwen Salamanca and Caceres, hence, the name - Peña de Francia.
2. Simon Rolan "Vela" ( Paris, 1428 )
A Francisca lay brother. Repeatedly a voice asked him to look for the image of our Lady of Peña de Francia. "Vela y no duerme" (Watch and do not sleep). Hence, he was called Simon Vela. For six years, he searched in vain for the image in the mountains of France.
3. Market Scene at Salamanca, Spain (1434)
A woman charcoal vendor and a man caught in a fray provided clues for Simon Vela where to locate the Peña de Francia. A Churchgoer at the town of San Martin de Castañar showed him where the mountain of Peña de Francia was.
4. Discovery of the Sacred Image of Peñafrancia. (May 19, 1434)
In a cave our Lady appeared to sleeping Simon Vela who was then nursing a head wound inflicted by a falling rock. "Rejoice, your search is now over. Dig on this spot where I am and you will find the image; build a chapel here for me. People will come to venerate me and miracles will be wrought by God through me". With the help of four friends, Simon Vela found the image of the Mother and Child. They venerated the sacred image and they were cured of their ailments, including Simon's head wound.
5. Spread of Devotion to Peñafrancia in Nueva Caceres (1700's)
Through reading of a book on the Virgin of Peñafrancia, the sickly UST seminarian Miguel de Robles Covarrubias became an ardent devotee of our Lady. He vowed to build a stone Chapel at the banks of Pasig. But he was transferred to the Diocese of Nueva Caceres and ordained priest by Bishop Andres Gonzales; later, appointed as priest of the Cathedral and Vicar-General. The Cimarrones of Isarog requested for a chapel. A local talent carved an image of our Lady of Peñafrancia painted by dog's blood. Miraculously, the decapitated dog was restored to life. The devotion spread during the tenure of Bishop Felipe de Molina (1723 - 1738) and the renovation of the stone chapel (the present Peñafrancia parish church) was completed during the time of Bishop Isidoro de Arevalo (1742 - 1751).
6. Devotion to Divino Rostro and Cholera Epidemic (1882)
The dreaded Cholera Epidemic spread from Manila to Bikol. Vicar - general Pedro de la Torre introduced the novena to Divino Rostro (practiced in Oslo de la Vega, Spain) at the height of the epidemic. Simultaneous novena to the Divino Rostro and the Peñafrancia took place to implore heavenly intervention. A procession of the Divino Rostro borne by priests was held. Decreed that henceforth, the Divino Rostro and the Penafrancia be carried together in procession.
7. Peñafrancia Celebration and the Filipino - Spanish Revolt (Sept.19, 1898)
First shot of the revolt in Naga was fired after midnight of the Peñafrancia festivities, Sunday, Sept.18, 1898. San Francisco Church became the refuge of the fleeing prominent Spanish and Bicolano families. There were few casualties (Lt. Miguel Dias de Montiel and wife, Corporal Antonio Caño, Sr. Francisco Borras, Capt. Andrew with and children, and two other children). The capitulation for surrender at the Colegio de Sta. Isabel between Gov. Vicente Zaidin and the tandem of Corporals Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo was peaceful and smooth. The Vicar-General, Fr. Gonzales, facilitated the turn-over of the government. A year earlier (Jan.4, 1897), eleven Bicolano martyrs were executed at Bagumbayan and four died in prison or in exile. Among the fifteen Bikolano martyrs were three priest: Fr. Severino Diaz, 40 years old from Bulan, Sorsogon and parish priest of the Cathedral; Fr. Inocencio Herrera, 30 years old from Pateros, Rizal and ssaistant priest of the Cathedral and Fr. Gabriel Prieto, 37 years old from Magarao, Cam. Sur and parish priest of Malinao, Albay (Bikol's HEPRIDIA).
8. Traslacion Procession (1853)
Due to increasing number of pilgrims, Bishop Manuel Grijalvo (1848-1861) decreed in 1853 that the image of the Peñafrancia be brought in procession to the Cathedral for the novena, from Saturday to Thursday. This transfer became popularly known as Trasiacion. But in a later decree of September 1, 1864 Bishop Francisco Gaiza (1862-1879) extended the novena until Saturday, to be followed by fluvial procession back to Peñafrancia Church. In 1905, however, Bishop Jorge Imperial Barlin decreed that the Peñafrancia celebration be transferred from July to September. This practice stays until present time. The term, Voyadores (perhaps, from Spanish bogar - to row, or boya -buoy) has been coined locally to refer to the all-male bearers of the andas of Ina. Presently, about 10,000 voyadores are registered members of the newly organized Confraternity of St. Joseph, but many more join the annual longest procession of about 200,000 - 300,000 devotees.
9. Fluvial Procession of the Pagoda of Ina and the Colgante Bridge Tragedy (Sept.16, 1972)
The final leg of the procession of the Virgin of Peñafrancia and the divino Rostro back to the Basilica Minore is a Fluvial procession from the Tabuco Bridge to Magsaysay Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Enthroned on Her well-adorned and lighted Pagoda which is powered by selected Paratokan and bancas of Voyadores pulling it, the Virgin journeys home. The all-male devotees at the Pagoda and the pilgrims from all over and from different walks of life accent the procession with shouts of "Viva la Virgin"as devotees wave handkerchiefs and lighted candles. Sept.16, 1972 was a tragic afternoon when just before the Pagoda reached the wooden Colgante Bridge, the later collapsed and 138 lives were lost.
10. Sacred Image of the Peñafrancia Stolen (Aug.16, 1981) and Recovered (Sept.5, 1982)
Just like the original sacred image of Peñafrancia in Salamanca, Spain which was stolen on Aug.17, 1872, the Image of Ina de Peñafranciaof the Bicolanos suffered the same ignominy on Aug.16, 1981. On a no-questions-asked arrangement, the dismantled in six parts Image was returned in Manila on Sept.5, 1982 to Msgr. Florencio Yllana, former Chaplain of the Peñafrancia Shrine. Braving the onslaught of Typhoon Ruping, devotees brought home the Image of Ina the following day, with Arch. Teopisto V. Alberto, DD and Auxiliary Bishop and Peñafrancia Parish Priest Msgr. Sofio G. Balce, DD officiating the Thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral.
11. Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia as Queen and Patroness of the Bikol Region (Sept.20, 1924), 1949 Silver, 1974 Golden and 1999 Diamond Jubilees
Our Lady of Peñafrancia was proclaimed Principal Patroness of the City of Caceres on June 10, 1895 by Pope Leo XII. Pope Benedict XV decreed the official coronation of the Peñafrancia as Queen and Patroness of the whole Bicol Region on May 13, 1920. It was only on Sept. 20, 1924 that the coronation took place at the Cathedral grounds with Papal Legate Guillermo Piani and Bishop of Manila Michael O'Doherty gracing the occasion. The award-winning "Himno a la Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia", popularly known as Resuene Vibrante, written by Maximo Heguera, CM was sung on this solemn occasion. The Golden Jubilee of the coronation was commemorates at the Plaza Quezon of Naga City on Sept. 13, 1974 officiated by Cardinal Julio Rosales of Cebu, assisted by then incumbent Archbishop Teopisto V. Alberto, DD of Caceres and Bishop Ricardo Vidal, DD of the Diocese of Lipa. Sept.16, 1999 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the Coronation commemorated at the Quadricentennial Arch of the Naga Cathedral, officiated by Papal Nuncio Antonio Franco and assisted by Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of Caceres.
12. Virgin of Peñafrancia, Ina of All Times
Ina's new home is the Basilica Minore at Balatas Road, inaugurated and blessed on May 22, 1982. Everyday pilgrims and devotees from all over visit Her sanctuary. The Virgin becomes a Pilgrim Herself when She visits parishes, institutions and associations all over Bicol, Manila and in the United States. Bicolano communities in Cebu, Bacolod, California, Canada, and Europe hold their own mini-fiesta to honor our Ina. Basilica has become a beacon of hope for the down-trodden, solace for the suffering, and a sanctuary for those yearning for physical and spiritual healing. She's truly the Ina for all times.