Fiesta Señor’s opening salvo: Big crowd joins Walk with Jesus

CEBU, Philippines —  An estimated 200,000 people joined the Penitential Walk with Jesus yesterday followed by the opening salvo mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu that marks the beginning of the novena masses leading to the Fiesta Señor celebration.

The 2.1 kilometer Penitential Walk with Jesus started at Fuente Osmeña and finished at the Basilica where thousands were waiting with images of the Holy Child in hand.

The mass marked the first day of the novena masses for the Sto. Niño Fiesta celebration that will run until January 26, 2024.

 “Mas amazing ang pulong sa Ginoo. The word of God transcends all theories, all sciences. Ang pulong sa Ginoo labaw pa niini, ang pulong sa Ginoo maoy nagmugna sa tanan as high as the sky above us,” said Rev. Father Nelso Zerda, OSA, who presided the Mass.

During his Homily, Zerda highlighted that more than the theory of imprinting, “God already holds the wisdom. People set a bond with Him. People are called to holiness- a responsibility and a mission to become a Synodal Church. Reminding everyone that we are chosen by God for a particular purpose.”

During the opening salvo mass, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu also installed Valentino Sandiego and Ofelia Sandiego as this year's Hermano and Hermana Mayores.

According to the Basilica, the Hermano and Hermana will take on the responsibility of helping their fellow Catholic faithful to deepen and strengthen their devotion to the Holy Child, Señor Sto. Niño.

This year’s theme for the Fiesta Señor is Sto. Niño: Magnet of Love in the Synodal Church.

Further, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama says the deluge of people during the Penitential Walk with Jesus is a manifestation of a miracle.

“The hugeness of the crowd is another testament of a miracle of how, even for just the walk of Jesus, the attraction and all different kind of Sto.Nino…naa pa gani’y mga bata, gisul-ubag Sto.Nino,” said Mayor Rama, who joined the thousands of people during the Penitential Walk.

“Sukad ko nikupot ug katungdanan involving sa Sinulog, di mahimog kutob ra ta sa cultural, you have to imbued yourself to all spiritual activities. So I saw to it nga walk for Jesus, Walk for Mary, Translacion, Fluvial, unya procession, plus it all goes without saying ang major gyud for city government, on cultural presentation with religious dimension is the Sinulog Mardi Gras, which is on January 21st,” Rama said via Sugboanon channel.

Although the Penitential walk with Jesus was smooth-sailing, Mayor Rama has ordered for the removal of the center island along Sanciangko Street before the solemn foot procession on the eve of Sinulog 2024.

“Naa pay tiwasunon…Naa may ruta sa procession unya murag muagi man lang gihapon anang dapita, kinahanglan gyud makuha ng island towards Sanciangko,” Mayor Rama said.

The mayor explained it has to be removed immediately as it would become a “choke point” during the foot procession, which is expected to draw even more devotees than yesterday’s penitential walk.

“Kay dili na makuha ang island sa Sanciangko, it becomes a choke point. Unya mag backflow na. Unya it can derail movement and it may not be too good because kung mag punsisok gud ang tawo, we do not wish,” Mayor Rama explained.

According to Rama, it is always much better to be “overprepared than under prepared.”

Meanwhile, in a public advisory, the Augustinian friars of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu is asking the public to be cautious over bogus Facebook pages pretending to be the Chuch and informed everyone that the Basilica only has one page, the https://www.facebook.com/BMSNCebu.

“Any other facebook pages bearing the name of the Basilica is not in any way connected to the institution. We would like to remind all the faithful to be mindful and careful of these pseudo accounts,” it said.

Moreover, the advisory said that they do not promote the Santo Niño de Cebu with green vestment that brings “paswerte” or “luckycharms.”

 “Sacred images remind us to deepen our trust and faith in God,” the Basilica said. — ATO (FREEMAN)