ACT OF FAITH. Adults and children wave their images of the Sto Niño while singing “Bato Balani sa Gugma” in honor of the Child Jesus during the first novena mass for the Sto. Niño in the pilgrim center of the basilica in Cebu CIty on Jan. 6, 2011. Will mass goers at Luneta show the same fervor next month? (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Be patient. Follow instructions and signages. Keep it solemn. Avoid wearing jewelry. Dress in comfortable but not sexy clothes.
These were among the reminders the Augustinian fathers of the Basilica del Sto. Niño gave to devotees as the 452nd Fiesta Señor celebration begins on Thursday, January 5.
“Let us please follow instructions closely to keep the solemnity of the celebration,” said Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA, the media liaison officer of the basilica and the head of the Fiesta Señor’s general secretariat.
He appealed to devotees not to force themselves into the basilica complex when it is already full of people.
Security guards were given the instructions to control the number of people at the churchyard to avoid stampede and other untoward incidents.
“Please wait for people inside the basilica complex to go out after every Mass. You don’t have to force your way into a crowded place. Anyway, the basilica is open 24 hours (from Jan. 5 to 15),” Reyes said.
At least eight large LED screens and several television monitors were mounted inside and outside the basilica complex for people to view the Mass.
Communion kiosks have also been installed in the churchyard and in the adjoining streets.
Lay ministers will be stationed there to distribute sacred hosts during Holy Communion so devotees don’t have to crowd into the outdoor Pilgrim Center where the novena Masses will he held.
Reyes also advised people not to wear jewelry and sexy clothes inside the basilica.
“If possible, don’t bring many things or huge bags and other valuables. Carry less things,” he said.
The 452nd Fiesta Señor celebration officially starts on Thursday with the annual “Walk with Jesus”, a penitential foot procession from Fuente Osmeña to the basilica at 4:30 a.m.
The two-kilometer walk is expected to draw thousands of devotees.
Fr. Pacifico “Jun” Nohara Jr., OSA, the rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño, will preside over the first novena Mass at 5:30 a.m. at the Pilgrim Center where this year’s fiesta Hermano and Hermana Mayores, businessman Leo Manguilimotan and wife Cristina, owners of Arbee’s Bakeshop, will be installed.
The theme for this year’s feast is “Santo Niño: Source of Communion, Protector of Creation” which is patterned to the pastoral thrust of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on the Year of the Parish, and Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si on the care of the environment.
Laudato Si means “Praise be to you” which is the first line of a canticle by St. Francis that praises God with all of his creation.
The basilica’s altar as well as the pilgrim center were decorated with flowers. Red and yellow flaglets also adorned the churchyard.
“Everything is set for the Fiesta Señor. The fiesta spirit is felt. Let us keep the celebration solemn,” Reyes said.
Except on January 5 and 13 where there are dawn processions, 11 Masses will be held at the outdoor Pilgrim Center everyday leading to the feast of the Sto. Nino.
The schedules are 4 a.m. (except on Jan. 5 and 13), 5:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.