ASIDE from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), another serious illness afflicting humanity right now is indifference.

"The sin of indifference continues to rise. This is the kind of curve that should be flattened," Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, said in his homily during the Hubo mass on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.

"It makes us inhuman. It makes the poor, poorer. It makes the least of our society unacceptable and unloveable," he added.

The Hubo mass signals the end of the Fiesta Señor. The rite involves bathing, undressing and redressing of the image of the Child Jesus. It is held every first Friday after the feast day.

As the 456th Fiesta Señor comes to an end, Nohara said one important takeaway for the devotees is the knowledge that they have something to share and give to others "with love."

He said devotees should be able to respond with love through concrete action, especially in this extraordinary time.

Nohara said the tradition of the Hubo serves to remind devotees of their desire or commitment to change their hearts and to be humble like a child by undressing their sins and transgressions so that they will become "new and healed disciples of God."

He thanked the devotees for being understanding and supportive even after several adjustments were made in the 2021 Fiesta Señor celebration.

"Although, it broke our hearts into million or trillion pieces, we have to do what is right and be responsible Christians in our community to take care of the gift of life," Nohara said.

He was referring to the decision to suspend in-person novena masses on the fifth day. The remaining novena masses in the nine-day series were held virtually as a precaution against transmission of Covid-19. (WBS)