Hundreds of devotees with their children followed the arrival of the image of Our Lady of Lindogon Simala in the Basilica del Sto. Niño, waving at and taking photos of the icon.
(CDN Photo/Junjie Mendoza)
About 2,000 devotees were on hand to pay homage to the Our Lady of Lindogon as it arrived at the Basilica del Sto. Niño from the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Pavillion in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.
Flowers were laid down at the image’s feet while devotees lighted candles as they joined the procession.
Among those who witnessed the arrival was flower vendor Mindy Manayaga, who tended to the roses, baby’s breath and chrysanthemums as she listened to the homily.
She said it was the closest she could ever get to see the Lady of Simala in person.
“I was selling my flowers because I did not earn much earlier. There were kids walking around selling flowers too – that’s why,” said Manayaga in Cebuano.
She sets up her flower stall right in front the Basilica’s entrance gate along Osmeña Boulevard every Friday, Saturday, and on special occasions.
The 42-year-old Manayaga is a devout worshiper of the Birhen of Simala but has never been to the Simala Shrine in Sibonga town to see the image in person.
A flower vendor for more than 20 years, Manayaga explained that when she prays to the Birhen of Simala, it was for the health of her family.
“Health is wealth. We cannot do anything without having a healthy body,” she said in Cebuano.
In his homily, Fr. Jonas Mijares said Filipinos honor Mary because she is a “great mother” to all of them.
“The most beautiful person we see in our lifetime is our mother. She teaches us to bring life and joy and we should be like her,” he said.
Fr. Mijares also said the arrival of Our Lady in Simala in the Basilica del Sto. Niño was a significant and momentous event.
The image will return to Simala Shrine in Sibonga, southern Cebu sometime this morning.