Walking towards Ina: Camino de Peñafrancia turns long roads into a journey of faith
Updated: 6 hours ago
By Mary Rose B. Civico and Maria Emargelyn Garcia
The Camino de Peñafrancia began in September 2022, offering devotees an experience of pilgrimage where the physical journey becomes an opportunity for spiritual reflection, prayer, and renewal. With every step, peregrines carry personal intentions as they journey toward Naga City, the heart of the Peñafrancia devotion.
The initiative was inspired by Dennis Marpuri, one of the founders of the Camino, who recalled being amazed upon encountering pilgrims from France, Portugal, and Germany who had walked approximately 800 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela to visit St. James.
The experience deepened while Marpuri was walking alone on the Camino Francés, where he spent time reflecting on his life. During that journey, he conceived the idea of bringing the Camino experience to Naga.
Marpuri saw a connection between the traditional Camino and devotion to Ina. Just as pilgrims journey great distances toward sacred destinations, devotees travel to Naga to encounter and honor Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Since its beginning, the Camino has received support from different parishes and local government units, allowing the pilgrimage to reach communities across the region.
This year's pilgrimage began on August 30, 2026, with the first leg from Sorsogon City to Castilla, Sorsogon, covering approximately 27 kilometers. At 4:00 a.m., pilgrims departed from Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Sorsogon City.
Along the route through Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur, communities accompany the peregrines through shared meals, hospitality, assistance, and other acts of generosity.
The pilgrimage also carries the support and ecclesial guidance of Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Octavo Tria Tirona, Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, and Rev. Fr. Francis A. Tordilla, affirming its connection with the local Church and the Peñafrancia tradition.
Every Step Becomes a Prayer: “We have different intentions along this walk,” Marpuri said, emphasizing that every step and sacrifice can be offered as a prayer.
For the peregrines, the long hours on the road provide opportunities for silence, reflection, fellowship, and perseverance. The journey becomes an annual opportunity to renew faith an deepen devotion to Ina.
The Spanish word camino means “the way.” In the Christian tradition, pilgrimage can become a spiritual journey where the faithful encounter God through prayer, sacrifice, community, and perseverance.
Young Faith on the Road
Among the peregrines is Princess Jane Casajes, 21, of Ocampo, Camarines Sur, who has been part of the Camino community for two years. For her, the journey has become a way of drawing closer to the Church.
“Pirming sinasabi ni Lolo Dens na ipabalangibog an gabus na mensahe kan Camino sa paagi nin paglakaw. Personally, ang Camino ang naging paagi para mapalapit ako sa simbahan.” (Lolo Dens would always tell us to proclaim the message of the Camino by walking. Personally, the Camino became the way for me to be close to the Church.) Ms. Casajes said.
Her testimony reflects how pilgrimage can become an avenue of faith formation for young people. Through prayer, perseverance, fellowship, and service, the road itself becomes a place of encounter with the Church.
From Sorsogon to Naga, the Camino de Peñafrancia continues to transform distance into devotion and walking into prayer. They will conclude their long walks of devotion during the Traslacion. and will join thousands of devotees to pray and honor our Ina.
No one walks alone. All roads lead to Ina and Naga—the Heart of Faith.
Photos by Niño Lyndon Civico
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