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Vienna, Austria, 13 September 2024 – Despite Austria’s meteorological service’s warning about heavy rainfall in Vienna, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 90 kilometers per hour, devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Austria attended the first day of Novena Mass, the commencement of the 31st Penafrancia festivities organized by Bikol Society Austria (BSA) in cooperation with the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna.
The Novena Mass is a series of nine days of prayer and reflection leading to the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It was held in Salvator am Wienerfeld (SaW), Wienerfeldgasse 11, 1120 Vienna, Austria, and will continue at the same time and venue until 20 September. The faithful devotees gather for a solemn Mass and devotional service followed by an Agape, which provides an opportunity for the faithful to come together, share a meal, and strengthen their spiritual connection.
The Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna, led by its Chaplain, Fr. Ely Dalanon, played a pivotal role in supporting the festivities. The Mass was celebrated with reverence and joy as the community came together to honor the patroness of Bicolandia and to seek her intercession.
NING LOBRIGO, ROSE DECENA, NOEMI CALLO, LOLIT KASZUBA, MARIZEL ROJAS
BSA is a Filipino community organization based in Austria. It was founded to promote and preserve the Bicolano people’s cultural heritage and religious traditions, especially the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Since its establishment, BSA has played a central role in organizing the annual devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Vienna, which began in 1993. The Society fosters unity among its members while supporting various charitable and cultural initiatives in Austria and the Philippines. Through its activities, BSA remains a strong pillar of the Filipino-Austrian community.
The Peñafrancia Festivities are significant religious events and a testament to the vibrant Filipino community in Vienna, showcasing their rich cultural heritage and devotion. A vital part of it is the 20th Fluvial Procession on the Danube River on 21 September on board the flagship of the DDSG Blue Danube, the MS Admiral Tegetthoff, followed by a Concelebrated Mass in the St Philipp and Jacob Church, Hauptplatz 24, 2410 Hainburg an der Donau
As a culmination of the festivities, there will be a concelebrated mass on 22 September in SaW, an important milestone, this year being the 100th Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady. Bishop Luisito Occiano from Virac, Catanduanes, will be the main celebrant together with Fr Ely Dalanon, Assistant Chaplain Fr Vic Tamayo, and visiting priests from Italy, Fr Edmer Eronga, and from the Philippines, Fr Jovic Lobrigo.
For more information about the ongoing festivities and schedule of events, please contact BSA Officers and Hermana/o Mayor 2024.
President: Marizel Rojas
Vice President: Ning Lobrigo
Secretart: Sarah Jozelle Rojas
Treasurer: Noemi Callo
Auditor: Rose Decena
PRO: Audrey Tzakovski
Hermana Mayor 2024: Lolit Kaszuba
Hermana Mayor 2024: Delia Jacob
Hermano Mayor 2024: Luigi Bernas
Bikol Society Austria (BSA)
— Marizel Rojas
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas, President of Bikol Society Austria (BSA) from 2016 to 2024, is a dedicated leader and ardent devotee of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Her commitment to the Filipino and International communities extends across multiple organizations, serving as Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria), Board Member of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD, Founder and former president of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), Adviser and Former President of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), and Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV) and Councillor and Liaison for the Philippines of the European Police Association (EPA) and Auditor of the Vienna International Centre Gastronomy Club (VIC GC). She is a member of the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) and received the Most Influential Filipina Women in the WorldTM (Global FWN100™) “Behind the Scenes” award in 2019.
Photos by Lolit Vendivil Kaszuba
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