The image of the Sr. Sto. Nińo arrived at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City after the Traslacion held on Friday morning, January 13, 2023. CDN Digital photo | Mary Rose Sagarino
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu—Rain didn’t stop devotees here to come out and give the images of Sr. Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe a warm welcome on Friday, January 13, 2023.
Thousands of devotees lined up the streets to once again witness the Traslacion held in line with the celebration of the 458th Fiesta Señor in honor of Sr. Sto. Niño.
The Traslacion started from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu in Cebu City and ended at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City.
Unlike before, though, the image of St. Joseph met the images of Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe at the boundary of Cebu City and Mandaue City.
There, a ceremonial turnover was held with the presence of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
This is the first time that this was done. In past years, the image of St. Joseph waited for the images of Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe at the National Shrine of St. Joseph.
“Nihangyo ta sa simbahan ug organizers. Salamat kaayo nga gitugot nila kay panagtagbo man angayan gyud nga musugat siya kaysa maghuwat. First time ni gawas nisugat siya. Mukuyog pa gyud siya padulong sa Regla (Nuestra Señora de Regla),” said National Shrine of St. Joseph Team member Monsignor Tony Medida.
Police Colonel Franc Oriol of the Mandaue City Police Office said they estimated the crowd at the Mandaue side of the Traslacion to be at 20,000.
The Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) consisting of St. Joseph, Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe, will be at the National Shrine for one day before it will be transferred to the Nuestra Señora de Regla National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City at 12 a.m on Saturday, January 14.
During the Traslacion, devotees waited for the images of the Holy Child and Our Lady of Guadalupe along the route leading to St. Joseph’s.
Devotees waved their hands, raised their Sto. Niño images, danced to the Sinulog beat, lit firecrackers, and set balloons free when the images passed. Others were also seen crying.
Once the Holy Family arrived at the National Shrine of St. Joseph, a welcome mass presided by Archdiocese of Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midiphyl Billones was held. The church was filled with some devotees even staying at the open area outside the church grounds while it was raining.
Devout Catholics brave the rains and cold weather as they patiently attend the welcome mass outside the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandue City at the cocnclusion of the Traslacion on Friday, January 13, 2023. CDN Digital photo | Mary Rose Sagarino
The welcome mass was also attended by Mayor Cortes, his wife Sarah, and the members of the Mandaue City Council.
“Nalipay ta no after pila ka tuig, we survived. Magpasalamat ta kang Sr. Sto Niño sa tanang gasa, gasa sa pamilya, kinabuhi, labaw sa tanan maayo’ng panlawas. Unya manghinaot ta nga mahimo ni’ng inspirasyon ang Holy Family. Mao na’y giingun nga the family that joins together, lasts forever,” said Cortes.
/bmjo
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