12/09/2026
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๐๐๐๐?
If you have watched the Peรฑafrancia Traslacion, you may have noticed something: El Divino Rostro traditionally goes ahead of Our Lady of Peรฑafrancia as the images make their way toward the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.
But why?
To understand this tradition, we have to go back to 1882.
That year, a cholera epidemic threatened Nueva Cรกceres, the city now known as Naga. Rev. Fr. Pedro de la Torre, then Vicar General of the Diocese of Nueva Cรกceres and a native of Osa de la Vega, Spain, had with him a copy of the Divino Rostro venerated in his hometown.
Remembering the devotion to the Holy Face in Spain during earlier epidemics, Fr. Pedro requested that the image be placed at the Cathedral so that the people could gather before it and pray for protection from the disease.
The bishop, Most Rev. Casimiro Herrera, DD, likewise ordered that the people seek the intercession of Our Lady of Peรฑafrancia.
Then came August 26, 1882.
The image of Our Lady of Peรฑafrancia was brought to the Cathedral, where it was placed together with the image of El Divino Rostro.
According to the Archdiocese of Cรกceres, this was the first time the Bicolanos prayed to the two images together in one place.
When the epidemic subsided and the people were spared from the dreaded disease, the Church authorities and the faithful made a thanksgiving commitment to celebrate the feasts of El Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peรฑafrancia together.
That historic encounter eventually became the foundation of a tradition that continues to this day: during the Traslacion, the two images are brought together to the Cathedral.
So, when you see El Divino Rostro leading the procession, followed by Ina, it is more than simply an arrangement of images.
It recalls a moment in Bicolano history when, in the midst of a public health crisis, two beloved devotions were brought together in prayerโand a tradition that has endured for more than 140 years was born.
From a prayer during an epidemic came a tradition that generations of Bicolanos continue to carry.
Viva El Divino Rostro!
Viva la Virgen de Peรฑafrancia!
References
1. Archdiocese of Cรกceres โ โDivino Rostro Historyโ
2. Naga City Investment and Tourism Promotions Office โ โKnow more about the Devotion to the Divino Rostroโ
