Cebuano devotees and those from the neighboring provinces are expected to attend the nine-day novena-mass as well as other festivities. They also look forward to one of the significant events in the celebration - the "Pagkanaug sa Birhen."
"Pagkanaug" is a Cebuano term meaning act of coming down or descent. The ritual is actually a reenactment of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to the 14-year old Bernadette Soubirous of France, in 1858. In the ceremony, a life-size statue of the Mother of God slowly and solemnly slides down a flower-decked ramp from a lofty pedestal. Done to the accompaniment of Marian songs, the scene is very touching and devotees, including the sick and the needy who cluster around usually become teary-eyed.
How did this ritual come about? It was started more than half a century ago, in 1935, to be specific, by Don Juan Rivera, father of Inday Pining Rivera. Since then the Pagkanaug has been a yearly phenomenon at the Basilica del Santo Niño, thanks to the efforts of the Gullas family and the Cofradia de la Virgen de Lourdes.
The story is told that at the start, the Agustinian friars, mostly Spaniards, were against the Pagkanaug. They were apprehensive that the statue of the Virgin Mary might fall in the process of the descent. However, Don Juan assuaged their fears by providing a mechanism to ensure the safe descent of the statue. From then on this has become a beautiful Marian tradition in Cebu.
In this year's festivity, a series of masses is being lined up, starting on February 1 and ending on February 11, the feast day.
The highlight of course is the Pagkanaug which will be held today. The event will be preceded by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist to be officiated by Monsignor Fred Kriekeenbeek, a healing priest, and Rev. Frs. Andro Batayola and Nick Echivaria as co-celebrants. After the descent of the icon, blessed petals and cotton balls will be distributed to devotees.
The Cofradia de la Virgen de Lourdes officers and members are inviting those who are sick, handicapped and in need of healing, to take advantage of the healing session.
The religious procession of the Blessed Virgin will be on Saturday, February 10 after the 4:00 p.m. Mass at the Basilica del Santo Niño de Cebu.
With the passing away of Don Juan Rivera, his wife, the late Doña Andrea Rivera, continued the Pagkanaug ceremony as well as the other solemnities. In later years, Doña Andrea's daughter, the late Inday Pining Rivera Gullas, took upon herself the task of faithfully holding the ritual.
Today, the entire Gullas clan, spearheaded by former Congressman Jose R. Gullas, has made it a tradition to hold this unique event. It is their way of keeping faith with the faith of their forebears and of paying homage to the Blessed Lady of Lourd.