Church declares Fiesta Señor a success

CEBU, Philippines — The Augustinian fathers spearheading the 454th Fiesta Señor declared the weeklong event a success after it was spared from a weather disturbance earlier feared to disrupt the religious activities.

During the Thanksgiving Mass on Monday at the Basilica Pilgrim Center, Fr. Pacifico Nohara, Jr. of the Augustinian Order said the organizers and devotees should be grateful for the “successful” celebration of the feast honoring Señor Santo Niño or the Child Jesus.

“Let us thank the Holy Child for a successful fiesta celebration,” the Basilica rector said in his 10-minute homily during the 2 p.m. Mass.

The Augustinian priests, who serve as custodians of the highly-revered image, offered Thanksgiving Masses on Monday following the feast on the 20th.

The weather bureau PAGASA earlier predicted that a weather disturbance is threatened to cross landmass and affect the 6 a.m. fluvial procession on the 19th or on the eve of the feast.

But fair weather prevailed over Metro Cebu.

The fluvial procession from Lapu-Lapu City to Cebu City and the foot procession went smoothly.

On the feast day, however, Metro Cebu experienced intermittent rains.

PAGASA noted that tropical depression Amang— the first tropical cyclone to hit the country this year—slightly slowed down over the eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar.

It is now moving north at 10 kph from the previous 15 kph.

Rain or shine, the religious and cultural events still drew millions of people from across the globe.

“The Holy Child wants us to be strong amid hardships and difficulties in life,” said Nohara.

He urged Catholics to continue seeking the Lord’s guidance, making Him the people’s refuge in whatever disasters or tragedies might come.

He said the faith and devotion should not only be manifested during the weeklong celebration wherein devotees do sacrifices by braving the huge crowd and taking long penitential walks, among others.

“Bisan nahuman pa man ang kapistahan, maayo nga puy-an nato ang iyang mga hiyas sa pagkamapahiubsanon ug pagkamaalagaron nga aduna’y pagpakabana ug pagmahal sa uban,” he said, reflecting on this year’s theme: “Sto. Niño: Guide of God’s children to humility and service.”

“Nanghinaut ako nga aduna unta’y kausaban ang dagan sa atong kinabuhi human niining kapistahan. Ang tinuod nga deboto ni Señor Santo Niño nagtamod sa iyang panag-ingnan,” he concluded. (FREEMAN)