The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help will celebrate the world’s third-largest Catholic population this weekend when it hosts its first annual Filipino Ina Weekend. The weekend of worship coincides with a similar celebration in the Philippines that attracts close to two million followers. The Penafrancia Festival and Divino Rostro, which takes place between September 11th and 20th in the Bicol region of the country is considered the biggest Marian pilgrimage in Asia. Shrine Rector Rev. John Broussard hopes local Filipinos make their own pilgrimage to Champion this weekend.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help is hosting a farm to table luncheon on Saturday and two novenas for Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Penafrancia as a part of its Filipino Ina Celebration. The weekend also includes the Harvest Blessing Festival, which prays for the upcoming harvest of the region’s grapes.