BE humble and do work for others.
This was the message of Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA as the 449th Fiesta Señor officially ended yesterday with the “Hubo” Mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño capping 11 days of religious activities in honor of the Sto. Niño.
At dawn, Mejares, the rector led the annual “Hubo”, a Cebuano word for “undress”. A pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño was stripped of its fiesta clothes, given a ritual bath, and fitted with simpler garments.
“In changing the vestments of the Sto. Niño, we are reminded of a God, who although almighty, chose to humble himself and became man because of His great love for us,” he said.
Thousands of devotees packed the courtyard of the basilica’s Pilgrim Center, many of them bringing their own Sto. Niño icons to be blessed with a sprinkling of holy water.
“As the image of the Sto. Niño is immersed in water, let us keep our hopes alive for Him to continously do miracles for us. The Sto. Niño is my hope, your hope, our hope. In Him alone is our hope and confidence,” he added.
Mejares encouraged people to do good for others.
“Do we simply remain critics of others? Or should we do something to help our brethren? We need to sacrifice for the good of other people,” he said.
Mejares ended his homily by singing “This is the Moment.”
About 4,000 devotees gathered to witness the changing of the image’s royal red and gold wardrobe to ordinary garb that is worn the rest of the year.
A replica of the image of the Sto. Niño given by Ferdinand Magellan to Cebu’s Queen Juana in 1521 was used in the “Hubo” ceremony.
The ritual began with the removal of the crown, followed by the orb and scepter and armlet, the bands, cape, tunic, inner garments and boots.
For each piece of clothing removed, Mejares sang “Christe, Exaudi Nos” (Christ Graciously Hear Us) to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
The image was then dipped in water, wiped with a towel and dressed.
The original Sto. Niño image remains in a marbel chapel of the basilica, where pilgrims line up to pay homage.
The garments were changed in a private ceremony before the feast last Sunday.