"Walk with Jesus" on January 7

CEBU, Philippines - The annual Walk with Jesus on Thursday, January 7, will open this year’s 30th year of the Sinulog festivities.

The foot penitential procession of the devotees of the Child Jesus and the Catholic faithful will begin at 4am at the Fuente Osmeña circle and will proceed to Osmeña Boulevard towards the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Augustinian Friars, parishioners, confraternity of our Lady of All Nations, among others, will lead the procession. 

According to Rosalinda Murillo, National Secretary of Confradia del Sto. Niño, the procession will be “another proof that people worship and adore Jesus Christ in different perspective”.

She said that people will be bringing, other than rosaries and candles, different icons and images of Jesus according to how “comfortable” they are to the image.

“Ang uban magdala og crucifix, risen Christ, Sacred Heart of Jesus, ug uban pa pero mas daghan gyud ang magdala sa imahe ni Sr. Sto. Niño,” Murillo said.

She said that devotees, as observed through the years, bring images of Sto. Niño dressed either as a fireman, farmer, fish vendor, or tailor. Others also bring the Sto. Niño de Nemoto clad in a green Japanese kimono and the Little Child Niño de Hiranand dressed in a yellow Middle Eastern-inspired robe.

The various images reportedly describe the variety of cultures that the Holy Child has influenced through years of fervent devotion.

Moreover, Murillo added that the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño is now ready for the procession, considering that church officials start planning for the annual pilgrimage as early as June last year.

She said security personnel, including those from the Philippine National Police, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management, and barangays tanods will be stationed along the processional route to ensure safety of the devotees.

Members of the City Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division will also secure the sidewalk.

By 5:30 am after the parade, Rev. Fr. Rudy Bugna, rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño will, officiate a Eucharistic mass at the Basilica. The installation of Hermano and Hermana Mayores would then follow. — Marjun A. Baguio, University of Cebu Intern/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)