Feast of Sto. Niño kicks off

The Augustinian friars of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño announced on Monday that it's all systems go for the celebration of the 459th Fiesta Senor 2024.

In an advisory, the Basilica said the nine-day novena in honor of the Sto. Niño will start with a penitential walk with Jesus by 4 a.m. on 11 January and will culminate on 19 January with a procession dubbed as "Walk with Mary" at 4 a.m. followed by the Misa de Traslacion at 5 a.m. at the Basilica.

The Traslacion will bring the sacred image of the Holy Child Jesus to Mandaue City by 6:45 a.m. same day while another Traslacion to Lapu-Lapu City will start at noon on 20 January.

Meantime, the traditional solemn foot procession will be held by 1 p.m. on 20 January followed by the reenactment of the first Mass, baptism and wedding, commemorating the first Catholic sacraments that ever happened in Asia 502 years ago in 1521.

"The decision to change the processions for the 459th Fiesta Senor announced last 15 November 2023, was a collective decision of all concerned agencies both from Basilica del Sto. Nino and of the Cebu City Government," the advisory said.

The Augustinian friars reiterated the changes in procession routes as agreed through a series of meetings with stakeholders.

Due to the massive construction along Osmena Boulevard, the traditional solemn foot procession will take the six-kilometer southern cross towards Natalio Bacalso Avenue.

The penitential walk with Jesus will have the shorter route from Fuente Osmena, Osmeña Boulevard and back to Basilica while the penitential walk with Mary will use the V. Rama-B. Rodriquez corridor instead of the traditional walk from the Guadalupe Church via Capitol Site due to the ongoing construction of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit terminals.

The primary concern of the Augustinian community and the fiesta working committee is the safety of all devotees joining the procession.

"For safety purposes, we urge all devotees of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu who will join the processions to be always mindful of the yellow separator of CBRT development in Osmeña Boulevard. In coordination with the Cebu City government headed by Mayor Michael Rama, we will take necessary measures for the safety of the devotees during the processions," the advisory added.