Church marks end of Kaplag celebration

CEBU, Philippines - The Augustinian clergy officially closed yesterday the yearlong 450th anniversary celebration of the Kaplag or the discovery of the image of the Santo Niño.

“We celebrate the closing, not the end, of a year that has a special significance in the life of each one of us, in the life of the Province and of the (Augustinian) Order and in the life of the people of these marvelous islands,” said Most Reverend Father Alejandro Moral, O.S.A. (Order of Saint Augustine) in his homily during the closing mass at the Pilgrim Center.

Moral sits as the prior general making him the worldwide leader of the religious order.

Closely tied to the 450th anniversary of the finding of the Holy image is also the celebration of the 450th year of the Augustinian presence in the Philippines and the 50th year of the elevation of then San Agustin Church to the rank of minor basilica.

 “This year has been focused on three major objectives. To remember with a grateful memory the past history of our province, to embrace the future with hope, and to live the present moment with passion,” said Moral during the homily.

 “God is Father of all (and) in Him all of us are equal… But God asks us to be like children. The Santo Niño shows us that children are innocent, fragile, transparent, very loving,” Moral added.

“The Lord asks us to be transparent as God is. Let us give ourselves to Him as children give themselves to their fathers. This is what God asks of us, the God who sent his Spirit to those who call upon him and who receive him with humility,” he said.

 “Here truly is the message that still today Saint Augustine repeats to the whole Church and in, particular, to this community through the Augustinians and through the figure of Santo Niño – Love is the soul of the life of the Church and of its pastoral action,” said Father Moral.

Father Moral, together with other Augustinian priests from different parts of the globe and also the diocesan clergy, graced the traditional Sinulog dance right after the mass.

Cebu City’s Sinulog contingent represented by Tribu Lumad Basakanon shared one stage with Mandaue City’s Panagtagbo Festival contingent, Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival contingent and Kalibo town’s Ati-atihan Festival contingent.

These festivals have respective distinct traditional dances, but honor the same religious image – the Santo Niño.

Aside from the Holy Mass, other activities were organized to mark the closing of the celebration. In the morning, the commemorative marker of the three-fold celebration was unveiled and the time capsule that will be opened 50 years from now was planted. — (FREEMAN)