Devotees In Vienna Mark Feast Of Our Lady Of Peñafrancia With Solemn Fluvial Procession On The Danube

VIENNA, Austria—On September 20, 2021, about 300 devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia gathered at the Danube River in Vienna to celebrate the Marian feast with a fluvial procession, prayer, and Mass. The day began with a short procession, the Rosary, and hymns, followed by Mass led by Fr. Andrew G. Recepcion from Rome, joined by five Filipino priests.

In his homily, Fr. Recepcion likened life to a river with calm and stormy moments, reminding the faithful that Mary accompanies them in both joy and struggle, always leading them to Christ.

This year’s celebration, organized for the first time by the Filipino Catholic Community of Vienna, took a more solemn form compared to past festivities organized by the Bicol Society in Austria.

Philippine Ambassador Lourdes Arroyo Bernas highlighted the history of the devotion, from its origins in Spain to its spread in Bicol in the 1700s, and praised the Filipino community in Austria for sustaining the tradition.

Though quieter than before, the event on the Danube was marked by prayer, song, and unity, reflecting the community’s resilience and enduring devotion to “Ina,” Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

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