Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon links Peñafrancia devotion to care for creation

Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres urged devotees to connect their devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia with environmental stewardship after low water levels in the Naga River delayed the annual fluvial procession on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The procession, which honors the patroness of Bicol, began around 9 p.m. due to the unusually dry river. Archbishop Alarcon told Radyo Veritas that devotion should involve more than venerating the image and must include caring for what God has entrusted to humanity. He described Mary as a mother to the Church and to nature, linking the message to the Church's Season of Creation observed every September.

Local authorities estimated that more than one million devotees attended the religious event despite the schedule adjustment.