Our Lady of Piat visits St. Francis parish

The Devotees of Nuestra Senora de Piat Foundation Inc. invites everyone to this year’s visit of the miraculous Lady of Piat to St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church. Our Lady of Piat, also known as “Nuestra Senora de Visitacion” and patroness of Cagayan Valley is permanently enshrined in the Basilica Minore in the hilltop town of Piat, Cagayan. Her parish visit is scheduled a few days before the Lady of Piat participates in the annual grand Marian procession held in Intramuros.

Her life-size image was brought by the Spanish Dominican missionaries from Macau to Cagayan Valley in the year 1604. By virtue of the decree by Saint John Paul II in March 10, 1998, the shrine of the Lady of Piat was elevated into a Basilica Minore. Due to the numerous miracles attributed to her intercession, devotion to her continues to grow and spread to other parts of the country and the world.

Devotees and pilgrims are invited to join in the celebrations. On Dec. 1 the Blessed Mother will arrive at 10 a.m. and a welcome mass at 3 p.m. will be officiated by Rev. Msgr. Carlos Estrada, Opus Dei regional vicar for the Philippines and Indonesia together with concelebrant Rev. Msgr. Fredel Agatep, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Piat. On Dec. 2, a mass will be held at 6 p.m. The Blessed Mother will depart St. Francis church after the 8:30 a.m. Sunday mass on Dec. 3. St. Francis Church is located inside the Lourdes school compound, corner Shaw Blvd.