PostHeaderIcon New Jersey ends fiesta with joyful anticipation of 300th year of Penafrancia devotion in 2010



















Rev. Msgr. Jeremias R. Rebanal, Our Lady of Penafrancia Devotees Association’s (OlPDA) spiritual adviser called faith-based activities like the Penafrancia fiesta in New Jersey, USA as instruments which help renew, strengthen, and enrich “our faith through our Ina.” According our insightful pastor, through Jesus’ mother, “we can live and enjoy the present with her, our future filled with hope, peace, and love that can only come from the Lord."

With undbridled gladness, similar messages had been said by Rev. Msgr. Romulo Vergara, the rector of the Penafrancia Basilica and National Shrine in Naga City and Rev. Jose C. Saltarin of St. Anne’s Church in New Jersey who emphasized Ina’s maternal protection wherever we might be. From a beautiful Filipino song Fr. Saltarin paraphrased:

Saan ka man naroon anak,
Sana’y malaman mo na mayroon kang Ina
Ang ‘yong Ina, Maria ang pangalan,
Bigay ng Dios sa iyong lahi.
Saan ka man naroroong bansa,
Pangarap ko ikaw, pagkat mahal kita.
Asahan mong sa habang panahon
'Ka’y anak ko pa rin, saan ka man naroroon.


Saen ka man magduman aki,
Sana mamidmidan mo na igua kang Ina
Ang saimong Ina, Maria an pangaran.
Ta'o nin Diyos sa saimong angkan.
Saen ka man napaduman na lugar,
Pangiturogan ta ika, dahil padangat ta ika
Asahan mo sa habang panahon,
Ika aki ko pa man guiraray, saen ka man magduman.


Such wonderful words to expatriate Bicolanos and all Filipinos worldwide couldn’t be said at a better time, when we start preparing for next year’s 300th year of Penafrancia devotion in Bicol.

This September, we were blessed to have well-intentioned Bicolano leaders of OLPDA and affiliate organizations---the Bicol Association Inc. of the Eastern Seaboard USA (BAES) and the Ateneo de Naga Alumni Association working in unity and cooperation. Energized by a team of supportive devotees, volunteers, and friends, Amado Cabaero, Jr., this year’s chairman, led the group to make the Penafrancia celebration in the Northeast a complete success.

Having gone through the nightly prayers and fellowship at the Our Lady of Victories Church (OLV,) the fiesta reeled with the traditional fluvial procession by ardent "voyadores." A rousing tribute to God and Ina followed on that clear sunny afternoon of Saturday, September 19, 2009 at CRRNJ Terminal Building in Jersey City, New Jersey.

As an expression of gratitude OLPDA once again invites devotees, families, and friends to come for a solemn mass at the OLV Church at Kennedy Blvd, NJ on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 3 PM.(Photo Credit: balaoglogo) =0=

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