The Santo Niño de Cebu (Holy Child of Cebu) ushered the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines in 1521, with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese commissioned by the Spanish Crown to search for the ‘spice islands’. Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the world. Ironically, he died in the Philippines, but his ship returned to Spain to complete the circumnavigation. The original statue is reported to be miraculous.
eastwind journals
January 11, 2023 (archives = tr339)
By Bernie V. Lopez, eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com
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Many miracles and healings are attributed to the original statue of the Santo Niño de Cebu, as well as to the devotion itself, which is practiced throughout the Philippines for the last 500 years. There are festivities in most provinces and cities. Most prominent is the Sinulog (‘graceful dance’ in Cebuano dialect) in Cebu City, a colorful procession that attracts tens of thousands of local and foreign devotees. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of January.
The image of SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU (photo below) is the oldest Christian artifact of Philippine history. It was a gift from Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon. The 12-inch dark wood statue is carved in Flemish art tradition with the countenance and dress of a Spanish Monarch, complete with crown, globe (representing the sins of Mankind), vestments and scepter. The jewelry is a collection from rich devotees of several centuries. (Historical data summarized from Wikipedia based on the archives of Spanish chronicler Antonio Pigafetta).
Here is an anecdote below by healer Sr. Raquel Reodica, RVM on the miracle of the Sto. Niño at the Mother Ignacia Healing Center in Novaliches.
The many stories of miracles performed by the Santo Nino through the centuries are documented and displayed at the Basilica in Cebu, even though these were legends not approved by the Vatican. It is difficult to investigate ‘miracles’ that happened ages ago. But the fact that the Church has displayed these historical stories in a church implies that the Church is open to the devotion and endorses it.
In May 1965, in celebration of the fourth centennial of Christianity in the Philippines, Pope Paul the VI elevated its Cebu shrine to the Minor Basilica del Santo Niño, where the statue is permanently encased in a bulletproof glass.
Watch the frenzied song-dance during the 2023 Mass celebration at the large courtyard of the Basilica del Santo Niño in the heart of Cebu City = https://fb.watch/hWeiri5oEv/
Two historical anecdotes of miracles during the Spanish Period.
These photos were lifted from the hallway of the Basilica del Santo Nino in Cebu City in January 2023. Apologies for the low-quality photos taken without a flash. (Archive photos 8350v2 / 8349v2 / 8344v2 / 8343v2).
The Thousands of Pilgrims the Santo Niño Attracts.
The thousands of pilgrims who come from out of town and have no money for lodging sleep on the pavement, like this mother and months-old baby taken one block from the cathedral. Photo below.
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More Inspirational Articles – eastwindjournals.com.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED HEALING, spiritual or physical (depression, anxiety, loneliness, terminal cancer, covid, diabetes, etc.) – say an online healing prayer with one or both healers below. Terminal patients have been healed in cyberspace –
1) Father Fernando Suarez – www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UP3LHBgtIc.
2) Sr. Raquel Reodica, RVM – www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAZcwNimBSg
Download free e-book ‘Healing Stories of Sr. Raquel’ at eastwindjournals.com/2021/08/13/healing-stories-of-sr-raquel-e-book-free-download/).
Author’s Credentials. Blogger – ex-Columnist (Inquirer) – Healing Ministry – ex-Professor (Ateneo University) – Documentary Producer-Director (freelance, ex-ABS-CBN, ex-TVS Tokyo) – ex-Broadcaster (Radio Veritas) – Facebook “Bernie V. Lopez Eastwind” / Pages “Eastwind Journeys and Journals” and “Mary Queen of Peace”.
amdg
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