19/01/2025
FEAST OF THE STO. NIÑO | JANUARY 19, 2025
The Feast of the Sto. Niño is a religious celebration unique to the Philippines. The Spanish title “Sto. Niño” means “Holy Child”. Filipinos have a strong devotion to the Holy Child as can be seen through the presence of the Sto. Niño’s image everywhere.
The devotion to the Child Jesus is as old as Christianity itself in the Philippines. Colorful festivals such as the Sinulog in Cebu tell the story of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines and the acceptance of the faith by the locals.
Hara Amihan of Cebu (later named Queen Juana) and her husband, Rajah Humabon of Cebu, were some of the first natives to accept the Christian faith and were baptized with 800 of their people in 1521.
Today, the feast day is celebrated every third Sunday of January (or the second Sunday after the Solemnity of the Epiphany). Cries of “Viva Señor Santo Niño” and “Viva Pit Señor” ring across the country as towns and cities celebrate the feast day.
+ “Viva” is a similar expression to “hail” and literally means “to live”. It is used as a cheer and a way to honor the Lord Jesus. “Señor” is the Spanish word for “Lord”. The title is given in honor to the Child Jesus as an acknowledgment of his Godhood and authority over all. The word “Pit” is a contraction of the Cebuano word “sangpit” which does not have an exact translation in Filipino or English.
PRAYER
O Señor Santo Niño, You are our king and our god, we worship you, you are our strong Defender, we turn to you; You are the Patron of Cebu and Philippines, we come to you; You have made extraordinary wonders. Through your miraculous Image in these chosen islands, remember us. Look down at this poor soul that comes to You for help. Lead us with your wisdom, discipline us with Your Truth, console us with Your Tenderness, protect us with Your Might.
We consecrate today our thoughts to You, only with You shall they be occupied; our words, only of you shall they speak; our sufferings, that we may endure them for your sake. We beg You, Señor Santo Niño, illumine our understanding, kindle our will, cleanse our body, sanctify our soul. We wish what you wish, because you wish, as you wish, as long as you wish.
Grant us, Señor Santo Niño, that we may feel love toward You, be strict toward ourselves, be zealous toward our fellowmen, and rightly despise the things of the world. Help us to overcome sensuality with strict discipline, avariciousness with generosity, anger with gentleness, indolence with zealous industry. Make us wise in counsel, courageous in danger, patient in adversity, humble in prosperity.
Teach us, dear Santo Niño, how worthless is the world, how sublime is heaven, how brief is time, how long is eternity. Grant us, lastly, that we may remember You, adore You, and serve You here on earth that we may be happy with You forever and ever in Heaven.
Amen.
____________________
Sources:
(1) Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu | PRAYER TO SANTO NIÑO
(2) Parish of the Holy Sacrifice | Feast of the Sto. Niño
