THE obstacles that Cebu has had to overcome in the last decade have made Cebuanos more resilient, according to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Palma, who presided over the Misa Pontifical de la Fiesta Señor at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño on Sunday, January 15, 2023, pointed out the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020, super typhoon Odette in 2021 and the earthquake in 2013, among others.

He said Cebuanos had to wait almost three years for the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog activities to resume.

“Daghan gyud ta gitigum sa Ginoo human ang tulo ka tuig nga ginudumili ang panagtigum physical tungod sa Covid. Karung adlawa lainlaing misa diri sa atung basilica ug sa atong pilgrim center ang gibuhat,” he said. “Ang kita diri makahinumdum ta kining bell tower sa basilica tungod sa linog natumpag and yet makaingon kita Señor Sto. Niño tuburan sa kalipay, tuburan sa paglaum sa pagsulay. Lantawa kita karon naka-survive ta.”

(God has gathered many of us after three years of not being able to congregate because of Covid. Today, we’re holding many masses in the basilica and in the pilgrim center. We all can remember when the bell tower of the basilica toppled during the earthquake and yet we can say that the Señor Sto. Niño has become the source of happiness and the source of hope amidst adversity. Look at us, we were able to survive.)

Palma reminded the faithful who are undergoing trials not to give up and to strengthen their faith instead to achieve peace in life. (HIC)