The Filipino’s devotion to the Sto. Niño or the Holy Child knows no bounds. Since Juan Camus, a Spanish soldier belonging to the troop of Miguel Adelantado de Legazpi, discovered the image on April 28, 1565 in a rundown house (where the Basilica de Sto. Niño now stands), the devotion has only grown and is still growing after 450 years.
The caring that the Augustinians has extended to the Sto. Niño de Cebu was evident during the arrival of the revered image at the foot of Quezon Bridge.
Arranged with the city of Manila in cooperation with the Intramuros Administration, the event had the image enthroned on a grand carroza that was brought in a procession to San Agustin Church where Tagbilaran Archbishop Leonardo Medroso officiated the concelebrated Mass with 15 priests headed by Fr. Asis Bajao, OSA.
The church was filled with devotees, including the retinue of sagalas belonging to the “Santa Cruz de Mayo,” organized by the Society for Cultural Enrichment.
Introduced by the Franciscan missionaries, the Santacruzan is a retelling of Biblical stories and characters, ending with the finding of the True Cross by Emperor Constantine and his mother, St. Helena.
The May 25 event that started at 4 p.m. in Intramuros saw the procession carrying the Sto. Niño de Cebu come down from Quezon Bridge and walk down Plaza Lawton before entering General Luna Street.
With the image were carrozas carrying the Cross, symbolic of the Cross brought by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 to Cebu, and the “Mater Dolorosa.”
Pueblo Amante de Maria Congress
The Marian Congress organized by the Pueblo Amante de Maria on the first Saturday of the month will take place on June 7, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium. Speaker is Amelita D. Go, president of Laiko Philippines.
The theme is “Mary and the Empowerment of the Laity.” Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles will be the speaker on the July 5 Marian Congress.
Rosa Mystica Choir concert
The Rosa Mystica Choir of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Binondo Chinese Parish on Ongpin Street is celebrating its golden jubilee with a concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo on June 6, Friday, 8 p.m. Guests are asked to arrive early to get their seat numbers.
Organized on May 17, 1964, the Rosa Mystica Choir belongs to one of the churches dedicated to the Chinese apostolic ministry in Manila. It was placed under the care of the Dominican Fathers of the Philippine province.
The concert will feature music from the classical to the contemporary, from hit musicals to movie themes, Filipino ballads and Chinese pop music. The choir dedicates this concert to the Lord through the intercession of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, for His continuous guidance in the past 50 years. For inquiries on tickets, call 0917-8037935.
Praying 2,000 Hail Mary’s
The Our Lady of Medjugorje Prayer Group, which belongs to the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Queen’s Row, Bacoor, Cavite, will bring the praying of 2,000 Hail Mary’s to the Jesus the Divine Healer Parish in Tahanan Village in Parañaque. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 6 a.m. Reports of answered prayers have been texted back to Letty Zapanta (0918-5047810).
Crucifix at St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Nemi Miranda has designed a huge crucifix made of glass shocks and metal for the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Cambridge, Cainta, Rizal.
Donor Ester Alcantara asked the artist to design a crucifix that the poor in the parish could identify with.
Canonically erected on Oct. 4, 2013, the church has Fr. Jimmy Padilla as parish priest. On June 7, 5 p.m., all church workers in the parish will renew their commitment to serve the Lord.
Novena to St. Anthony de Padua
Churches will mark the fiesta of St. Anthony de Padua on June 13 with Novena Masses from June 4 to June 12. In Singalong Church, Cardinal Tagle will officiate the concelebrated Mass at 6 p.m.