SAN DIEGO — The veneration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is one of the oldest (almost 50 years) and largest Filipino Marian celebrations in San Diego.
Usually held in a large park, with processions, Eucharistic celebrations and entertainment, recent celebrations have been scaled back due to the pandemic.
This year, after nine weeks of devotional prayers, the Solemnity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 18, at St. Michael Church in Paradise Hills, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Bishop Robert McElroy will celebrate the Feast Day Mass, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops John Dolan and Ramón Bejarano.
This year’s theme, “Sharing the Gift of Faith in the Spirit of the Faithful Obedience of Mary and Joseph,” links to the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines and Pope Francis’ “Year of St. Joseph” celebration.
The Mass, organized by Pag-Iribang Bikolnon, will be livestreamed through Facebook.
For more information, visit penafranciasandiego.com.
