San Francisco de Asis Parish Church, Naga City

While the nearest church to our hotel was the cathedral, not so far was the San Francisco de Asis Parish. San Francisco de Asis, of course, is St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan Order that later also branched out the Poor Clares and the Capuchins. [I attended school at a Capuchin run institution for my Elementary and High School education.] The parish was along the way to the PNR Station that I wanted to see and is located across Quince Martires Plaza.

The church's frontage makes you think this is a small church. In truth, it is a large one with a long aisle leading to the main altar.

One of the minor altars to the right of the main altar.

A close-up of the icons of the minor altar shows a crowned image of Our Lady, angels and an image of what seems to be St. Veronica holding the cloth used to wipe Christ's face on his way to Calvary.

The main figures of the main altar shows St. Francis of Assisi embracing the crucified Christ, whose one arm is stretched towards Francis. This is very familiar to me as I studied at Lourdes Mandaluyong where our church and school features the same in the main altar and logos.

A view of the stained glass windows and pews of the church

Schedule of liturgical celebrations at the parish church.

More on the churches in Naga City soon!

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Mayon in the horizon

Traveling from Naga to Legazpi, one eventually reaches a section of the highway where you have a view of Mayon Volcano in the horizon. Here are some snapshots while we were traveling along the highway en route to the airport.

We were slowed down by a motorized trike

The volcano was shrouded by clouds. 

The 'most perfect' cone can be discerned despite the clouds.

More photos of Mayon including it finally revealing its form! 

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The old shrine to Our Lady of Peñafrancia

The old shrine Our Lady of Peñafrancia is along Peñafrancia Avenue. It is still visited by many people and like others like it, there is supposed to be an hourly Mass. It is very accessible as it is along the national highway and you can easily get there using public transportation. Here are some photos I took last June 21.

Most of the grounds are paved and typically used for parking.

The old shrine is smaller and though there's some space on the grounds that's usually used for parking.

Historical marker at the church

The main altar of the shrine

There is a stage there that I assume is used for special occasions including the feast of Our Lady.

The carriage used in transporting the image is parked here.

I took this close-up of the relief displayed as a backdrop at the stage. It depicts the devotion of the citizens of this city to Our Lady. The larger figures are probably prominent people in Naga's history who are linked to the devotion to Our Lady.

I tried to get a nice photo of the shrine with Mt. Isarog in the background. The power lines were in the way though.

I tried to get another, car-free photo of the shrine but it was impossible considering the constant arrival of people on cars.

I usually light some candles at the churches I visit. 

 

More on my recent travels to Naga City on my posts this month of July! 

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