Bikol Society Austria at the First Fluvial Procession in Cannes

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Cannes, France – 7 September 2024. The Mission Catholique Philippines in Antibes Cannes Nice & Monaco, Holy Family, led by Fr. Bernie “Bong” Alejo, successfully organized the first Fluvial Procession in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. This historic event occurred on 7 September 2024, drawing participants from across the region and beyond, including devotees from St. Tropez, Austria, the USA, and El Salvador.

The day began at 9:00 AM as over 200 devotees gathered in Cannes for the Fluvial procession towards the Island of Saint-Honorat, home to the monastery of the Cistercians Monks for 16 centuries. This was followed by a procession by land to a beautiful chapel where Fr. Bong celebrated a Holy Mass, delivering a homily that resonated with the crowd, inspiring a renewed commitment to their faith.

Typical of any Filipino gathering, there was a potluck lunch and spontaneous performances: songs and dances, including those of some of the members of the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy Choir from Vienna, Austria, offering an opportunity for fellowship among the participants.

Maria Zelda “Marizel Rojas,” President of Bikol Society Austria (BSA), who donated the image of “Ina”—Our Lady of Peñafrancia, delivered a presentation on the history of the festivities, which originated in Salamanca, Spain, and on its 314th year in Naga City, Philippines and its 31^st year in Vienna, Austria. She encouraged the attendees to continue the Fluvial Procession annually and pledged her personal support and that of BSA. In addition, she invited everyone to the upcoming festivities in Austria, starting with the Novena Mass Agape on 13 September 2024, with the 20^th Fluvial Procession on the Danube River to Hainburg an der Donau and the mass on the Solemnity of Our Lady on Sunday, 22 September 2024, 11:30 in Salvator am Wienerfeld, Wienerfeldgasse 11, 1100 Vienna, Austria.

Melba—“Baby” Rivera, a frequent visitor from the USA, also shared additional information on the devotion’s history and significance in the lives of Filipinos around the world. Her touching words were well received and rounded off the occasion perfectly.

The event concluded at 4:00 PM, marking the end of a meaningful day of devotion, community, and cultural celebration. The success of this first Fluvial Procession is a testament to the strong faith and dedication of the Filipino community in Antibes, Nice, Cannes, and Monaco and their deep love for Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

by Sarah Jozelle Rojas

Photos by Mandy Salonga

About the Author

Sarah Jozelle Rojas took Fashion Communications at the University of Arts London and is finishing her BSC in Business and Economics. She is a member of several Philippine and international Organizations: European Network of Filipino Diaspora Austria (ENFiD-Austria), Vienna International Centre- Club Filipino (VIC-CF) Bicol Society Austria (BSA) & the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES). Her interests include fashion, traveling, and pole dancing. She also enjoys sampling different cuisines. An avid and indiscriminate reader, she expresses her biculturalism through her poetry.