SW News: More than three million Catholics thronged the streets of Cebu in the Philippines on January 15 to take part in the feast of the Infant Jesus who is venerated as the Santo Nino De Cebu. The celebrations took place after a three-year gap induced by the COVID pandemic.

On the feast day, a Pontifical Mass was offered in the Minor Basilica of Cebu by Archbishop Serofia Palma of Cebu. In his homily, he said, "Santo Niño is our companion, the source of faith in our path to peace." The top prelate hailed the faith and gritty resolve of the residents of the city who bravely faced the pandemic, typhoon Rai in December 2021 and typhoon Haiyan way back in October 2013.

The Archbishop went on to say that in moments of difficulty, Jesus “is the hope we can cling to, the light that shines more and more in the darkness and the source of happiness and peace that nothing in the world can give”. Citing how the residents of Cebu stood united in rebuilding the city and their lives after natural disasters to the extent that no one can see vestiges of damage, the prelate exhorted everyone to build fraternal bonds for peace and protect the environment.

The Holy Mass was followed by a long procession which featured the Sinulog, a form of prayer that is expressed through dance moves in praise of the Santo Nino. The entire length of the procession was five kilometers.
It was in the sixteenth century that the image of the Child Jesus was gifted by Fr Pedro Valderrama, the chaplain of Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan, to Hara Humamay, the chief consort of Raja Humabon of Cebu, during her baptism. While the chief consort was baptized and given the name of Juana, her husband embraced the faith and was christened Carlos. Since then, the statue of the Infant Jesus has been venerated in Cebu.