The nine day novena mass opened yesterday with the Sto Nino procession in Cebu from the Fuente Osmena to the Basilica del Sto Nino and this signals the start of the Cebu’s biggest festival, the Sinulog. The festivity culminates on the third Sunday of January with a boisterous and colorful street dancing but on the solemn side, devotees from the around the country and the world come to Cebu to pay homage as well as pray for blessings and healing to the Child, God and King, the Sto. Nino.
The procession was solemn, with several devotees massing at the Fuente Osmena for the 0430H procession to the Basilica with several bringing their own icons both big and small. Although it rained briefly, many regard it as a blessing as devotees stood on the streets as the Basilica grounds was already full of people. But many didn’t mind the brief shower as they were prepared with their umbrellas while others came with their portable seats, staying under the shelter of buildings.
A sacristan walks solemnly during the processionOld lady devoteeDevotees raise their hands during the gozos, a hymn for the Sto NinoA candle during the processionImages at this lamp postThe venerated icon of the Sto Nino atop its carozza during the processionA well attended procession during the start of the Sto Nino 9 day novenaDevotees at the processionMore devotees carrying images of the Sto Nino
On the third Sunday of January, all roads lead to Cebu for the Sinulog festival. But its not only the revelry that happens but also the religious aspect is important. If you're going, are you ready?
Cebu is the center of the Sto. Niño de Cebu devotion in the Philippines. It is perhaps the most beloved of all Catholic religious icon in the country. A 15th century image representing the baby Jesus, it was probably carved in Flanders and brought during the historic Magellan expedition in…
One God, two different ways of honoring the Christ. The devotion to the Sto. Niño is done in honor of the child Jesus while the Black Nazarene is of the suffering adult. Both is said to be two of the three biggest religious devotions in the Philippines, the third is…
A series of images from yesterday’s Sto Nino novena opening procession in #Cebu
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