400,000 turn up for Translacion

CEBU, Philippines - An estimated 400,000 devotees lined up beside the road to greet the pilgrim images of the Sto. Niño and the Birhen sa Guadalupe that were transferred to the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City from the Basilica del Sto. Niño after the Misa de Translacion.

Three separate vehicles were used to carry the pilgrim images of the Sto. Niño, the Birhen sa Guadalupe and the bust of Jesus Christ reflected as the “Ecce Homo.”

When Jesus Christ was presented to the people by Pilate after he was arrested by the soldiers, the former governor of Rome announced “Ecce Homo” meaning “this is the man”.

Before the images were transferred to the shrine Msgr. Cristobal Garcia officiated the Misa de Translacion at the basilica’s pilgrim center attended by thousands of devotees.

In his homily, Garcia reminded the faithful of the importance of the Sto. Niño to each Filipino family. The Translacion according to Garcia is a depiction of God’s care and love through the family.

“Kay ang banay gasa sa Diyos, sukad sa sinugdanan, kay ang banay maoy hulagway sa Diyos,” said Garcia.

Garcia also challenges the faithful to protect the sanctity of the family, which Garcia describes as the “small church.”

“Mao na nga di gyud unta angay buk-on nato ang atong pagkabanay… Mao pud unta na ang ato’ng makita sa Translacion,” he added.

Rev. Fr. Rodolfo Bogna, the rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño, Church officials and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama escorted the images en route to Mandaue City.

The movement of the motorcade yesterday from the Basilica passing to Mandaue City was much faster compared to last year’s activity, taking only over an hour to cover the eight-kilometer distance.

Thousands of people, including the students of Tejero and Mabolo Elementary Schools also lined the route, throwing fresh flowers at the vehicles of the images as these passed by.

When the motorcade reached A. del Rosario Street in Mandaue City, the students of the Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion-Mandaue greeted the images with a Sinulog dance.

The images were received by Mandaue City officials led by Mayor Jonas Cortes and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, at the shrine Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the rest of the Mandaue City Council were waiting.

In his homily, Msgr. Adelito Abella urged people not just to pray for what they want from God but to work for these as well.

“Igo ra ta sa pagpangayo nga way lihok and we have forgotten that Jesus is my Evangelizer, igo ra gayud kita sa pagpangayo ug way gibuhat sa pagpapha sa hinungdan sa atong gi-antos, dili lang unta ta mangayo ug milagro,” Abella said in his homily.

Mandaue City Police Office director Noel Gillamac said that yesterday’s Traslacion was generally peaceful with an estimated crowd of 400,000 devotees. (FREEMAN)