April 28 is a red-letter day for Catholics as the Catholic Church marks the 450th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Sto. Niño—the oldest religious icon and acknowledged symbol of Catholicism in the country.
The date also marks two other milestones, namely the 450th anniversary of the Augustinian’s presence in the country and the 50th anniversary of the church’s title as a minor basilica.
Novena Masses will be celebrated by top prelates as well as superiors of various religious congregations.
Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congress and the former master of ceremonies of St. John Paul II, will preside over the Mass at 5:30 p.m. on April 26.
The following day, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will lead the Mass at the pilgrim center of the Basilica del Sto. Niño. On April 28, the Kaplag Mass will be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, executive director of the Kaplag celebration, said there will be two novena Masses each day starting April 19, one at 8 a.m. and the other at 5:30 p.m.
There will also be three traslacions or the transfer of the image of the Child Jesus to three historical churches in Cebu: the Redemptorist Church on April 18, the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas (April 24), and the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City (April 26).
A fluvial procession starting at the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City and ending at Pier 1 in Cebu City is also scheduled at 6 a.m. on April 27. Anyone wishing to participate in the sea procession may register at the Philippine Coast Guard Cebu Station.
In the afternoon of April 27, there will be a grand reenactment of the arrival of the image of the Sto. Niño, the planting of the Magellan’s cross, the first baptism in the Philippines, and the discovery of the image of the child Jesus.
At 7 p.m. of the same day, there will be a Sinulog parade from the Basilica del Sto. Niño to Fuente Osmeña. The street dancing will end at the Cebu City Sports Center where different contingents will offer the Sinulog for the Child Jesus.
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