THE Feast of Sto. Niño, which is celebrated on the Sunday following the Feast of the Lord's Baptism, indeed is one of the most revered festivities here in our country. Being a predominantly Catholic nation, the devotion to the beloved "Holy Child Jesus" is regarded as a special privilege granted by the Holy See witnessing the Filipinos' fervent devoutness and faith in the Child Jesus, whose image is believed to be the oldest and most popular in the country, taking into account when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan bestowed the historical statue of Sto. Niño to the wife of Rajah Humabon. According to some accounts, "the original feast date for the image was April 28 but with the approval of Pope Innocent the XIII in the 18th century, the feast was moved to the third Sunday of January to avoid conflict with the "Eastertide" or 50-day period from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday."
A typical Catholic Filipino home will never be complete without an image of Sto. Niño, even in some offices, schools and vehicles, for it is believed that the original image found in Cebu City, is said to be miraculous. Moreover, the veneration for the Sto. Niño derives from beliefs of the religious icon to be a miracle worker and giver of answered prayers and healing.
At the same time, Sto. Niño also symbolizes the special dedication to all children whom we must protect, nurture, and love unconditionally. This year, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma encouraged everyone to "love and care for children beyond words" during the celebration of the famous Sinulog Festival, which Archbishop Palma further said is "not just a feast in honor of the Holy Child but of all children in the world."
In his homily during the pontifical mass in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, the Archbishop elaborated that "many of our children might not receive the right love and compassion from others, from us. Let's love, care and carry them just like how we love, adore, carry and worship the Señor Sto. Niño. Just like the Holy Child, all children must be carried in people's lives and hearts -- expressed in the usual cuddling, carrying and caring for a young person."
This message, indeed reminds us all parents, that our children are God's greatest gifts to us. With the grace and blessing of the Holy Church under the holy sacrament of Matrimony, married couples are able to deliver the most important mission in their lives as one, and that is to bear children and mold them to be God's little followers. The significance is also very timely, especially for parents like me who may feel the many anxieties of raising children. While it is truly tough, at most times grueling and painful, to raise these kids given the many necessities that must be provided for them, let us always be reminded through the Holy Child Jesus that they are undoubtedly God's blessing and the very reason why we must not give up and continue holding on to our faith in the Almighty God. Let us be reminded that heaven's blessings are always the reason that make our lives truly meaningful and enjoyable.