In celebration of the solemnity of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on Sunday, hourly community masses will be held at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on Balatas Road, Naga City starting at 4 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Fondly called “Ina,” the widely-venerated and well-loved patroness of the Bicol Region, Eucharistic celebrations will also be held at the Basilica Diamond Jubilee Pavilion from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. to be able to give the expected large crowds of devotees a chance to take part in the feast masses.

The much-awaited fluvial procession along the Naga River that brought back the images of Our Lady and the Divino Rostro (Holy Face of Jesus) to the basilica from the centuries-old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral was held on Saturday.

Archbishop of Caceres Leonardo Z. Legaspi, in a message, reminded the faithful “to praise God for the countless blessings bestowed on us, through her unceasing love and intercession.

Since 1710, we recall Mary’s favors in our faith-journey, making us worthy disciples of her Son.”

“As we enter the final year of our preparation for the tercentenary of our devotion, we remember how our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the opportunity to look back at the past with gratitude and look ahead at the future with hope and to rediscover the grace of God through our devotion.”

Also known as the “feast of feasts,” the Peñafrancia festival is considered as one of the biggest religious events in the country attracting hundreds of thousand of visitors, local and foreign, every year. The celebration also marks the third year preparation for the 300th year of devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia which will be celebrated in 2010.