Sto. Niño and the Cebuanos

It’s Fiesta Señor once again and already, the city is feeling the effects of the event. Traffic is particularly heavy near the Basilica del Sto. Niño since the start of the Novena Masses for the Holy Child last Thursday. The city streets are decorated with streamers and buntings and nightly Sinulog entertainment has started at the Fuente Osmeña.

Cebu City really comes alive when it is Sinulog time. It seems that the city’s population increases when the festivities start. The basilica is the most crowded place, though. The church is always jampacked with devotees who attend the hourly Novena Masses.

Sinulog time always reminds me of the homily of a priest who celebrated Mass I attended a few years back. The priest said it is better for us Cebuanos to give way to out-of-towners to visit the Basilica del Sto. Niño during Sinulog because these people do not always have the Sto. Niño close by. “Ngano magpunsisok man jud sa basilica kung Fiesta Senyor? Makigdungan sa kadaghanan,” the priest said. The priest further said that it is not also advisable to bring small children along during Novena Masses and during the procession because they might get lost, stepped on or crushed with the sea of people who attend these activities.

Most, if not all Cebuanos have a special relationship with the Sto. Niño. This is because we always run to Him at the Basilica del Sto. Niño whenever we are faced with trials. Whether it is a health problem, a financial need, an exam, or even a love problem, the Holy Child is always there to listen and help. This is the reason why there are so many people who flock to the basilica, even with children in tow.

Even though I am not a devout Catholic, I would like to believe that I, too, have a special relationship with the Holy Child and am one of the hundreds of thousands of Cebuanos who run to the basilica at the slightest hint of a problem. But when it is Sinulog time, I somewhat heed the priest’s advice of giving out-of-towners and Balikbayans a chance to be with the Sto. Niño.

 I make it a point to go the basilica during the lean hours to avoid the crowd or say the novena on my own. I feel that this is my way of sharing the Holy Child to those who come from places outside Cebu. I know the Sto. Niño will understand. Nothing beats going to the basilica to honor Him, of course, but isn’t it that there are a lot of ways to honor and praise God?

This Sinulog time, let us learn to share the Holy Child with those who do not always get to run to Him all the time.

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