THE Catholic faithful have been urged to show their devotion to Sto. Niño through actions.
This was what Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said during his homily while presiding over the 457th Fiesta Señor Pontifical Mass Fiesta Day on Sunday morning, Jan. 16, 2022.
“Ang hagit, ang hangyo sa Niño, tungod kay kita manag-igsuon, tungod kay kita nakakita sa gugma sa Diyos alang natong tanan, unta ipakita nato kini pinaagi sa atong buhat—pagtinabangay, pagtinambayayong alang sa tanan,” he said.
(The challenge, request of the Holy Child, because we are all brothers and sisters, because we all have seen God’s love for all of us, is for us to show our devotion through our deeds–helping one another, solidarity for all of us.)
With this, Palma urged the faithful to look for the welfare of others and not just for themselves.
He said there is no need to do missionary outside the country, citing that their respective neighbors alone are in need of help following the devastation of Typhoon Odette (Rai) and threat of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
With any kind of help, may it be through giving of relief goods or services, Palma said this will give others the hope.
Palma said the Sto. Niño is the source of unity amid the recent devastation of the typhoon and threat of the new and highly transmissible Covid-19 variant.
He said being able to celebrate the fiesta of Sto. Niño was still a privilege even if only a few devotees could attend the limited activities in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines.
“Sto. Niño tuburan sa panaghiusa panahon sa kalipay ug pagsulay. Ug karon nga niagi ang Odette ug bisan dinhi pa ang Omicron, tigom gihapon kita para sa Sto. Niño,” he said, stressing that he was happy and grateful seeing millions of people who waited and showed their devotion during the motorcade last Saturday evening.
(Sto. Niño is the source of unity in times of joys and trials. And now that Odette has passed and even if there is Omicron, we must unite for Sto. Niño.)
Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police (CCPO) said the solemn motorcade carrying the image of the Sto. Niño on the eve of Fiesta Señor on Saturday, Jan. 15 was peaceful.
The motorcade passed by the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City. It also passed by the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway before returning to the Basilica.
The CCPO estimated that 10,000 people went to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño on Fiesta Señor’s eve. (with BBT / KAL)