Catholic Dolorenians call it the Official Town Fiesta.

While the town of Dolores normally celebrate the town fiesta during summer (after the Holy Week), and for the past two years, the Sakuting Festival during the month of May, the anniversary of its patron, the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores is one occasion every Dolorenian Catholic is looking forward to every year.

This year makes it more special with the Revered Lady reaching it Centennial milestone.

The preparations began as early as June 2012 when the plans for the Renovation of the Parish Church was revealed, the first phase of which is the beautification of the facade to be completed before the day of the centennial. The calls for donation were excitedly heeded by devoted Dolorenians.

On September 5, the statue of the Nuestra Señora started its 10 day journey to the 15 barangays of Dolores. Novenas were held in

September 14 – Visperas

The Visperas marked the start of activities with the “Walk for Faith”. Dolorenians sweated their way walking the streets of Poblacion, Dolores, Abra as a sign of their faith and devotion to the church.

An hour later, they were accompanied by students of the Heart of Mary in Pacac to escort the Nuestra Señora back home to the altar of the Parish Church.

A Eucharistic Mass was held at 4 pm followed by the traditional Santa Cruzan around the town.

September 15

The official day of the centennial began with the DIANA around the town at 4 am. At this time, biking enthusiasts from Abra and other provinces were already assembling in Bangued. Hundreds of bikers joined the Bike for Faith and muscled their two wheelers from Bangued to Dolores.

At 8:30 am, the blessing of the completed facade was done. The ceremonial ribbon cutting was conducted by Most Rev. Leopoldo C. Jaucian, SVD.DD, the Bishop of Bangued along with Rev. Fr. Emilio C. Cortez Jr., the Dolores Parish Priest, and Dolores Mayor JR Seares.

The Eucharistic Celebration immediately followed.

After the mass, the different schools of Dolores assembled at the Heart of Mary High School Grounds. All the schools prepared various dance numbers of folk dance, ballroom and modern dance to please the hundreds of crowds watching from the sidelines.

A grand buffet was served for lunch at the Dolores Civic Center courtesy of the Parish Church during which a program was held to honor the priests and nuns who have one way or another served for the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores.

To cap the celebration, a socializing activity was held in the evening for the members of the Parish Pastoral and Barangay Pastoral Council.