In this time of pain and suffering, the Catholic faithful were urged to draw strength from Sto. Niño and to tell stories that will give others hope as the whole world suffers from the Covid-19 pandemic.
During his homily for the Pontifical Mass on the eve of the 457th Fiesta Señor celebration on Saturday, January 15, 2022, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones said faith in the Sto. Niño will keep the faithful strong and united to rise above the challenges.
“During the moments of crisis, take strength by being united. Hold on to each other. We need to be united in our aspirations, to help one another,” he said, adding that the Holy Child is the model of communion.
He asked the faithful to be a source of hope, consolation and resiliency, especially that Cebuanos are still recovering from the destruction caused by Typhoon Odette, which hit Cebu and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on January 16.
“We have gone through so much pain and suffering. All the more during this time, we need to tell stories of how we have survived and gone through them,” he told devotees who attended the mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and those who joined the mass online.
Billones said the faithful can show the world that in times of adversity, they can call on God and be assured that no calamity can defeat them since they have shown resiliency, faith and hope.