Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Also called Peñafrancia Basilica, it is the only basilica in the entire Archdiocese of Caceres and of the Bicol region (which is composed of other provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon).

It is also a National Shrine where the image of the patroness, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, that was carved in the 18th century by Miguel Robles de Covarrubias is enshrined.

Table of Contents

History

Devotion to the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga grew tremendously that Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church could no longer accommodate pilgrims and worshipers especially during the feast day in September.

In 1960, Archbishop Pedro Paulo Santos drew up plans to erect a much larger place of worship where the patroness would be permanently enthroned.

In the succeeding years, Archbishop Teopisto V. Alberto together with the Association of Peñafrancia began the first steps in fulfilling the wish for a bigger church. He requested auxiliary bishop Concordio Sarte to lead the initiative of its construction. On April 18, 1976, the groundbreaking ceremony took place.

Over the years, the project met several challenges such as lack of funding. When Bishop Sarte was appointed to the Diocese of Sorsogon in 1977, Fr. Sofio G. Balce took over the project. Finally in September 1981, it was completed. On May 22, 1982, it was blessed and called the Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia.

On May 22, 1985, Pope John Paul II declared the church as Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Ceremonies of the declaration was held during the feast day of September 22, 1985 led by Apostolic Nuncio Bruno Torpigliani. Later it was also declared the national shrine of the patroness.

Architecture

The basilica is built in a cruciform shape with a color palette of white, canary yellow, and green (for its roof). Its central motif is an arch found in the facade, in the church tower above the crossing, windows, entryways, and bell tower. Its bell tower rises in front of the transept in the epistle side, its uppermost level less wider and topped with a dome. A dome is also found in the spire on the church tower on top of the crossing.

The facade of the church is dominated by a huge arch window made of stained glass panels. There is no demarcation for the pediment, which is generally observed in colonial churches, and it bears one rectilinear opening. In the ground level, church goers go through a simple portico to the main entrance.

The interiors is quite airy and spacious. Its high ceiling is painted, purely ornamental rather than catechetical. The clerestory features arcades of stained glass windows. Along the main nave walls are paintings that depict the 12 stations of the cross.

Celebration

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is every third Saturday of September.

Services

Schedule of the following devotions: Novena to Our Lady of Peñafrancia (5:45 AM every Saturday), Novena to the Divino Rostro (5:45AM every Friday), and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help (4:45 PM every Wednesday).

After the 4:00 PM Saturday mass is a Marian procession and healing prayer with the manto of Ina.

The exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is held after the 5:15 pm mass on every first Friday.

Holy Rosary is said twice on weekdays at 6:45 in the morning and 4:45 in the afternoon.

Mass schedule

Below is the weekly mass schedule of Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur from June 9, 2025 to June 15, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Naga City.

Monday

6:00-7:00 AM (Bicol)
7:00-8:00 AM (English)
11:00-12:00 NN (English)
12:15-1:15 PM (English - Cripta)
5:15-6:15 PM (English)

Tuesday

6:00-7:00 AM (Bicol)
7:00-8:00 AM (English)
11:00-12:00 NN (English)
12:15-1:15 PM (English - Cripta)
5:15-6:15 PM (English)

Wednesday

6:00-7:00 AM (Bicol)
7:00-8:00 AM (English)
11:00-12:00 NN (English)
12:15-1:15 PM (English - Cripta)
5:15-6:15 PM (English)

Thursday

6:00-7:00 AM (Bicol)
7:00-8:00 AM (English)
11:00-12:00 NN (English)
12:15-1:15 PM (English - Cripta)
5:15-6:15 PM (English)

Friday

6:00-7:00 AM (Bicol)
7:00-8:00 AM (English)
11:00-12:00 NN (English)
12:15-1:15 PM (English - Cripta)
5:15-6:15 PM (English)

Saturday

6:00-7:00 AM (Bicol)
7:00-8:00 AM (English)
11:00-12:00 NN (English)
12:15-1:15 PM (English)
4:00-5:00 PM (Bicol)
6:00-7:00 (English)

Sunday

5:30-6:30 AM (Bicol)
6:30-7:30 AM (Bicol)
8:00-9:00 (English)
9:30-10:30 (English)
11:30-12:30 AM (Filipino)
4:00-5:00 PM (Bicol)
6:00-7:00 PM (English)

Church information

Details
Name	Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur
Other Names	Peñafrancia Basilica
Previous Name	Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia
Address	Balatas Road, Naga City, Camarines Sur 4400
Country	Philippines
Email	basilicaofficeofficial@gmail.com
Facebook	web.facebook.com
Religion
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Established	1976
Age	49 years
Status	Minor Basilica, National shrine
Archdiocese	Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres
Vicariate	Vicariate of Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Patron	Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Relic	Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Architecture
Groundbreaking	April 18, 1976
Completed	September 1981
Age since completed	44 years
Consecrated	May 22, 1982

Nearby Churches

References

History of the Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Archdiocese of Caceres. Retrieved October 22, 2022
Alarcon, Rex Andrew C. Timeline of the History of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Archdiocese of Caceres. September 17, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2022
One of a kind in the region, the home of Ina | Peñafrancia Basilica. City Government of Naga. Retrieved October 22, 2022
Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Naga City, Camarines Sur. Archdiocese of Caceres. Retrieved October 22, 2022