From Afar, for Ina

By Jonnah Abellano

Every September, Naga City comes alive with a river of devotees. Pilgrims fill the streets, their footsteps and prayers weaving a rhythm that honors Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro. Yet not all devotees can make the journey. Some are miles away, in distant provinces, or even foreign lands, but their prayers for Ina reach her just the same.

Even far from the pilgrimage, faith finds its expression. In homes, chapels, and small parish halls across Bicol and beyond, devotees light candles, whisper prayers, and gather in silent rituals. Theirs may not follow the grand processions that wind through the streets of Naga, but they are instilled with the same sincerity and longing to be near the Blessed Mother. Distance is no barrier in their hearts, for faith becomes a bridge.

Amid the crowds of pilgrims in Naga, many cannot approach Ina and the Divino Rostro. The throngs around the sacred images can overwhelm even the most devoted. Yet for those who stay at a distance, faith becomes their bridge. They bow in reverent silence in quiet corners, whispering prayers that drift softly through the air. Candles flicker in their hands, small flames that carry hope and longing. Each petition murmured from the heart is a tender offering. Even if unnoticed in the crowd, their devotion flows steadily, reaching the Blessed Mother. In these moments, the distance between worshiper and divine fades, and the soul speaks to Ina in subtle, profound intimacy.

Devotion takes many forms, and those who pray from afar reveal its truest essence. Faith is quiet, persistent, unassuming, and sometimes far from the clamor of festivals. A calm radiance grows with each prayer whispered and candle lit, reflecting Ina's steadfast care and watchful love.

Distance may separate the faithful from Naga's bustling streets, but it cannot dim the devotion coursing through generations. Being near Ina is less about proximity and more about presence: the sincerity of intention, the persistence of hope, and the embrace of a tradition that transcends geography.

From afar, devotees feel the gentle comfort of the Blessed Mother's gaze, reassuring that distance does not diminish devotion. On this annual celebration, the Pilgrim City of Naga may be the heart of the festivities. Still, each devotee's heartbeat pulses from every province, every home, every corner of the world, all united in one prayer: from afar, for Ina.