After 34 years, a sitting bishop of the Diocese of Imus has again led the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia at the Casa de Monteverde subdivision in Barangay Francisco de Castro, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.

Most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista presided over the Concelebrated Mass for the annual celebration of the enshrinement of the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro, or the Holy Face of Jesus, at the Birhen ng Peñafrancia (BNP) Chapel, which was attended by devotees and the local faithful, with some of them tracing their roots to the Bicol Region.

In his homily, Bishop Evangelista reflected on the celebration's theme, "Birheng Maria: Huwaran sa Pagsunod at Pakikinig sa Kalooban ng Diyos na Nagbibigay-Pag-Asa sa Ating Matatag na Pananampalataya," as he recalled the Blessed Virgin Mary's fiat, or her total trust and surrender to God's will when she was chosen to become the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"God is speaking to us, kagaya ng nangyari sa Mahal na Birheng Maria. Ano ang ginawa ni Maria? Nakinig – at sumunod. Kung tayo ay mga tunay na deboto ng Mahal na Birhen ng Peñafrancia, matutong makinig. Listen to God. Kailan? Araw-araw,” the bishop said, connecting the Virgin Mary's experience to this year's Taon ng Pakikinig in the Diocese of Imus.

The Eucharistic celebration marked a full-circle moment for the BNP Chapel community since September 1992, when the then bishop of Imus, Most Rev. Manuel C. Sobreviñas, presided over the Mass for the enshrinement of the images.

Rev. Fr. Alfredo A. Maramara, parish priest of San Jose Manggagawa Parish that has jurisdiction over BNP Chapel, also joined the Mass as a concelebrating priest.

More than a week ago, on Sept. 16, Fr. Alfredo A. Maramara presided over the ninth novena Mass for the feast of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Paliparan, the patroness of Kristong Hari Parish in Paliparan III, Dasmariñas City.

The image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia at BNP Chapel was originally from Naga City, where a minor basilica and national shrine is dedicated to her honor and in recognition of the deep devotion of the Bicolanos, who fondly call her "Iná." 

Other activities during the Peñafrancia fiesta at BNP Chapel were the "Palarong Peñafrancia" at the Casa de Monteverde covered court, led by the local Youth Ministry, and the traditional Karakol held late afternoon.

Prior to the fiesta Mass, the BNP Chapel community held a localized version of the Traslacion procession to the San Jose Manggagawa Parish on Sept. 13, a fun walk-run entitled "Run/Walk in Faith" on Sept. 19, and the triduum Masses on Sept. 24–26.