Image of 'Ina' arrives in Manila today

Manila, Philippines - The image of Our Lady of Penafrancia, lovingly called “Ina” (mother) by Bicolanos, is scheduled to arrive in Manila today by train in time for the Mother’ Day celebration.

According to CBCPNews, the image is set to visit selected parishes in Metro Manila.

From its current location in Naga City, Camarines Sur, the image would be brought to the Philippine National Railway (PNR) station in Naga where there would be an overnight vigil.

The following day, there would be a morning Mass before the image is placed in the “pilgrim train” that would take her to Manila.

The religious image would be accompanied by a 15-man delegation belonging to the 3 Million Rosaries for Ina Crusade.

Along the way, the pilgrim would make whistle stops in Ragay, Hondagua, Lucena and San Pablo stations to give devotees an opportunity to pray and pay homage to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

The image will be welcomed with a Mass and an overnight vigil at the Tutuban train station in Manila.

The next day, “Ina” would be brought to Sta. Monica Parish in Tondo, where it would stay until May 18.

The image is also set to visit Santa Maria Goretti Parish Church at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center along United Nations Avenue until May 21.

Then from May 21 to 23, the image would visit the Philippine Daily Inquirer office in Makati City.

Marilyn Flores, from the 3 Million Rosaries for Ina Crusade, said they are still finalizing the pilgrim’s itinerary but the image’s visit would last for either three or nine days, through a triduum prayer or a novena.

“After the prayers to ‘Ina,’ there will be ‘mantling’ or a healing ministry that is unique to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, which involves laying of her ‘manto’ (cape) on the faithful,” Flores said.

The image’s visit in Metro Manila is meant to spread the devotion beyond the borders of Bicol and help raise three million rosaries for Mama Mary.

Under the 3 Million Rosaries for Ina Crusade, sponsored rosaries would be distributed to public elementary and high school students nationwide.

“Ina’s” pilgrimage will end in September in time for the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

In 2010, the Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Bicolano’s devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

On the same year, “Ina” also began visiting Metro Manila parishes by request.