A Visit to the Pilgrim City

CEBU, Philippines - GMA-7 airs mass from Naga City’s Peñafrancia Basilica Minore

GMA Network invites viewers to yet another sacred visit to the so-called Pilgrim City of the Bicol region this Sunday, August 11, as Visita Iglesia airs the Holy Eucharist straight from Naga City’s Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, more popularly known as the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore.

Built in 1982, the Romanesque-inspired Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the Virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. It was commissioned by Miguel de Cobarrubias, who believed that the Virgin Mary had helped him numerous times in his life. The image was housed in a small chapel until the Basilica Minore was constructed.

Thousands of devotees and pilgrims flock to Peñafrancia Basilica Minore to pay homage to the miraculous image of the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, whom Bicolanos call “Ina”, the Patroness of Bicol, especially during her feast day in September.

After celebrating the Holy Mass in St. Catherine of Alexandria’s Church in Cebu, Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in General Santos, and the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore in Naga, Visita Iglesia is scheduled to hold masses in other historical and renowned churches all over the country.

A program that not only promises to be an uplifting spiritual experience but one that also gives Kapuso viewers significant insights on the country's religious history, Visita Iglesia airs Sundays, from 6am to 7am, on GMA Network’s regional stations in Ilocos, Bicol, Dagupan, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, General Santos, and Cagayan de Oro.  (FREEMAN)