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Vienna, Austria, 14 September 2024—Devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mexikoplatz, to celebrate a special Mass in honour of the Patroness of Bicolandia, lovingly referred to as Ina. Fr. Ron Sandoval, Chaplain of Philippinische Gottesdients Gemeinde (PGG), officiated the Mass, which was attended by a large number of devotees from all walks of life.
This celebration is an important milestone, especially since this year marks the 100th Years of the Canonization of the Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in the Philippines. It is also a great way of promoting the tradition of honouring Ina. The Mass featured the singing of traditional hymns and prayers dedicated to Our Lady, invoking her guidance, protection, and blessings for families and loved ones both in Austria and in the Philippines.
In his homily, Fr. Sandoval emphasized the importance of unity and faith, especially for those living far from their homeland. He reminded the faithful that Ina stands as a symbol of hope, compassion, and unwavering faith, encouraging everyone to stay connected to their roots and one another.
Since the heavy rainfall made any activity outside the church impossible, the procession took place inside the church, with devotees carrying their images of Ina. The event culminated in fellowship, where attendees shared meals and stories, further strengthening the sense of community that thrives within the Filipino diaspora in Vienna.
This year’s celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia highlights Filipinos’ enduring devotion abroad. It serves as a reminder of the strong cultural and religious ties that bind them to their homeland. Bikol Society Austria was also represented at the event.
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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