Over 250 devotees attend Peñafrancia feast in Arizona

By Arnel Glenn Regino

Each year the feast of Our Lady of Peñafancia is celebrated by Filipinos, not just by Bicolanos, throughout the world. A particular place where it is celebrated in the United States of America is Phoenix, Arizona.

This started about 25 years ago, when the image of “Ina” was brought to Phoenix by a local of Naga City. Her image was then first housed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chandler, Arizona.

In 2017, a new Church was built in Chandler and her image was transferred to the St. Juan Diego Catholic Church. 

Each year, a 9-day novena is observed and masses are celebrated in honor of Our Lady. On her feast day, hundreds of devotees come to celebrate. A rosary procession is held in the Church grounds, after which, a mass is concelebrated by a number of Filipino priests in the Diocese of Phoenix.

This year’s feast day mass was celebrated on Sept. 20 by Bishop James Wall of Gallup, New Mexico -born and raised in Arizona. 

Of course, the celebration is not complete without a reception after the mass, where devotees bring and share native Filipino food with all the attendees -lechon, adobo, laing, and lumpia among others. 

In addition, young Filipinos showcase their talents during the social gathering, by dancing to and singing Filipino songs. 

Each year is a celebration worth remembering. It is a time for Filipinos, not just Bicolanos, to celebrate “Ina”, whose intercession many miracles have been attributed to.