Pinoys celebrate Niños Inocentes today

MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic bishop urged yesterday the public to avoid playing tricks on their relatives and friends today as Filipinos’ celebrate Niños Inocentes.

Caloocan bishop Deogracias Iniguez said some pranksters celebrate Niños Inocentes like April Fools’ Day, as the word “inocente” has the connotation of gullibility.

But Iniguez said this is not in accordance with the real and historical meaning of the feast.

“We remind the faithful that the origin of Niños Inocentes is the celebration of the Church of the Holy Innocents Day. So if we can return and try to appreciate the meaning of what really took place maybe we can make it a real celebration in relation with the coming of Jesus in our faith,” Iniguez said.

The Niños Inocentes were the first martyrs of the Church who died for Christ. The feast is kept within the season of Christmas because the holy innocents not only gave their lives for the newborn Savior but in His stead.– Helen Flores