By PR | 01:06 PM May 17, 2023
The devotion to the Holy Child, Señor Santo Niño de Cebu, is one of the most popular devotions in the Philippines. As an expression of the people’s faith to the Child Jesus, devotees would visit the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu specifically the Sto. Niño Marble Chapel, attend the Friday novena masses, offer prayers and intentions through lighting of candles, pa-Sinug, singing and dancing Sinulog, while others dress their children as Niños during the Fiesta Señor celebration every January.
The wearing of Sto. Niño vestment to children is one of the expressions of faith by parents in order to help them understand and grow their faith to the Child Jesus. Children are the direct manifestations of the Holy Child—special blessings that hold the family together. For parents as the first teachers of faith, it is part of their duty to let their children be closer to Jesus.
Despite the many expressions of faith and devotion towards the Sto. Niño, it is also important to keep in mind the appropriateness of our actions. As Cebuano Catholics, the Sto. Niño has a profound religious and cultural importance to us. Let us approach and treat the Sto. Niño with reverence and respect in order to avoid conflict and misunderstanding. As one Catholic community, let the Sto. Niño be our source of peace in our walk of faith.
