Sto. Niño to leave Cebu for the first time

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, the icon of the Sto. Niño de Cebu will go outside the province of Cebu to visit the people of the St. Therese Diocesan Shrine in Calubian, Leyte from October 21-22.

The event referred to as “Duaw Sto. Niño,” which is on its third year now, is part of the Basilica Minore del Sto Niño’s aim “to promote stewardship of God’s creation to His people,” said Fr. Tito Soquiño, executive director of the Basilica’s Santo Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation Inc.

“The concept of the Duaw is that the Sto. Nino goes to the islands like what He did 490 years ago when He spread Christianity all over the world,” said Soquiño, in a press conference at the Basilica yesterday.

This visit, however, is to “ecologically evangelize” the people especially that the world is facing the effects of climate change, he said.

Rey Martinez, founding chairman of St. Therese Diocesan Shrine said there will be an environment-related symposium, a film showing on the situation of some of the marine resources in the country, a coastal cleanup to be spearheaded by the Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc. (Seaknights), a medical mission, among others during that two-day visit.

The Holy Child’s icon will leave the Basilica after a Holy Mass at 7pm on October 20 through a procession passing the route to the Malacañang sa Sugbu. Early morning the next day, the image will go on board a Philippine Navy vessel and will be accorded a passing military naval honor parade and review while it passes the naval port.

The Philippine Navy will play host to the visiting icon in Calubian the Sto. Niño being its “Lord Admiral of the Sea.” The shrine where it will be staying is also within the naval base.

Meanwhile, the organizers said the event is opened to devotees from Cebu. Mayor Joy Roble of Hilongos, Leyte, and co-owner of Roble Shipping, said on October 21, the MV Blessed Star will take the route to Biliran (which is just across Calubian) instead of its usual Catbalugan destination to accommodate those who want to take part of the religious activity.

This is the third-time that the Sto. Niño will be out of the Basilica, but the first time that it will be brought outside the province, said Soquiño. Soon, for the first time, the image will also visit the Limasawa Island, also in Leyte province, after almost five centuries. It was in Limasawa Island where the first mass was held. (FREEMAN)