History of Peñafrancia
THE HISTORY OF PEÑAFRANCIA by Rev. Dr. FLORENCIO C. YLLANA
WHENCE
Contrary to what its name seems to indicate and the claim of some writers, the Peñafrancia devotion is not of French origin. History tells that the primitive image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia as now venerated in Bicolandia was found on the slopes of Sierra de Francia, a mountain range situated between Spain's two famous Provinces; Salamanca and Caceres. It is a noteworthy coincidence that while the primitive image was found near CACERES, in Spain, it's a carbon copy has come to stay in NUEVA CACERES, in the Philippines.
WHY
While the place where the image was found is a Spanish territory, the one who found it was a French citizen. Simon Vela, the man singled out with this special favor by heaven, was the sole heir to a rich French family. With his heart burning in great anxieties to dedicate himself to the service of God, he turned his back on the turmoil of the world and entered the covenant. Simon became famous very soon among the members of his exceptional devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the night he heard a voice saying "Simon, do not sleep; go to the Peña de Francia, on the part where the sun sets (a la parte del poniente) and there you will find an image of the Virgin which shall be afterwards an object of great devotion." Simon lost no time and after putting on the clothes of a pilgrim, he began to search for the image. The words "Peña de Francia" and on the part "where the sunset" induced Simon to believe that the image was to be found on a place situated in the western part of France. So to this place he directed his steps. After 5 long and weary years of futile quest in these parts, he decided to write "Finish" to his mission and give it up. One night however, he heard again the divine voice saying: "Simon, do not stop. A great reward awaits a great sacrifice and yours will be great." So Simon renewed again his trips. After visiting all the western part of France, torn and
WHENCE
Contrary to what its name seems to indicate and the claim of some writers, the Peñafrancia devotion is not of French origin. History tells that the primitive image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia as now venerated in Bicolandia was found on the slopes of Sierra de Francia, a mountain range situated between Spain's two famous Provinces; Salamanca and Caceres. It is a noteworthy coincidence that while the primitive image was found near CACERES, in Spain, it's a carbon copy has come to stay in NUEVA CACERES, in the Philippines.
WHY
While the place where the image was found is a Spanish territory, the one who found it was a French citizen. Simon Vela, the man singled out with this special favor by heaven, was the sole heir to a rich French family. With his heart burning in great anxieties to dedicate himself to the service of God, he turned his back on the turmoil of the world and entered the covenant. Simon became famous very soon among the members of his exceptional devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the night he heard a voice saying "Simon, do not sleep; go to the Peña de Francia, on the part where the sun sets (a la parte del poniente) and there you will find an image of the Virgin which shall be afterwards an object of great devotion." Simon lost no time and after putting on the clothes of a pilgrim, he began to search for the image. The words "Peña de Francia" and on the part "where the sunset" induced Simon to believe that the image was to be found on a place situated in the western part of France. So to this place he directed his steps. After 5 long and weary years of futile quest in these parts, he decided to write "Finish" to his mission and give it up. One night however, he heard again the divine voice saying: "Simon, do not stop. A great reward awaits a great sacrifice and yours will be great." So Simon renewed again his trips. After visiting all the western part of France, torn and