Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines (second from left) poses for a photograph in front of the original image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu. With him are retired Bishop Antonio Rañola (left), Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma (second from right) and Fr. Eusebio Berdon.
PHOTO BY FR. CHARLES LOUIS JAYME
For Pope Francis’ representative to the Philippines, his first time in Cebu City for the Fiesta Señor was a “joyful experience.”
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, arrived in Cebu a few hours before the 6 p.m. Pontifical Mass last Saturday.
He waited at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to witness the four-hour solemn procession, which was attended by 500,000 devotees.
In a message he delivered shortly after his arrival in Cebu, Caccia said he was extremely happy for being able to attend the religious activities in honor of the Santo Niño.
“My heart is full of joy and gratitude and I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to dear (Cebu) Archbishop Jose Palma, the bishops and especially to all of your dear people of God,” he said.
The Italian prelate took part in the 6 p.m. Pontifical Mass last Saturday, which was celebrated by Palo Archbishop John Du. He also joined the dancing of the traditional Sinulog.
Caccia presided over another Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, the feast of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
“We have a great experience today. All the city is dancing, smiling, and enjoying. But did somebody asked ‘Why are you dancing? Why are you happy?’ The first reading gives us the answer: ‘For a child has been given to us’,” he said.
Caccia said the Almighty God chose to be a child so as not to scare His people.
“God does not want to be feared. Rather, he wants to be loved. He wants to be united with us through love. He loves us, and he asks us to love Him in return. He wants to be in our lives, not around us, but in us, through the Eucharist. And even when we go astray, he waits for us to return to Him,” he said, while ending his homily with an applause from the crowd.
Caccia, who assumed his post last November 2017, said the fluvial and street processions of the Sto. Niño manifested the need to follow God throughout life’s journey.
“It means that when we do not know where to go and what to do in life, the right way is to follow Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life,” he said.
“I want to follow you, not alone, but as a people. When I’m weak, I can be healed by people close to me. When I want to stop, the others will bring me alone. We help each other to be better Christians and disciples of Jesus,” he added.
As a gift of gratitude, Caccia gave the people a blessing from Pope Francis.
He said Pope Francis loves the Filipinos.
“For sure, he has vivid memories of his visit in the Philippines three years ago. When I met him, he would tell me ‘You will find the faith of the people (Filipinos). You will be edified by these wonderful people’,” he said.
Caccia expressed hope that Cebuanos will continue to spread the light of Christ, not only in the country and in Asia, but around the world.
“We will bless you so that you will continue to become a sign of hope, joy, and peace for your society, country, and for this great Asian continent, and the world,” he said.
Caccia will stay in Cebu until January 27.
He is expected to attend the national conference of seminary formators from January 22 to 26 in Cebu City and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Plenary Assembly from January 27 to 29 in Mandaue City.