Walk with Jesus. The image of the Sto. Nino on his carriage leads the procession from Fuente Osmena to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino this morning, January 11. | Christian Dave Cuizon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — All roads lead to the Basilica. All roads lead to the Señor.
Seas of devotees filled the streets of uptown and downtown Cebu City as the Fiesta Señor 2024 officially opened on Thursday, January 11.
READ: Fiesta Señor 2024 kickoff, Walk with Jesus live updates
Walk with Jesus: Hundreds join procession
Hundreds joined the Penitential Walk with Jesus procession that started at Fuente Osmeña at 4 a.m. and ended at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu where the Opening Salvo Mass for the 459th Fiesta Señor was held at 5:30 a.m.
The Walk with Jesus marks the start of the Fiesta Señor season.
Walk with Jesus: Hundreds of devotees who joined the procession, bring their images of the Holy Child this morning, January 11. | Christian Dave Cuizon
Devotee: Sto. Nino saved my life
READ: Reminders from Basilica for the 459th Fiesta Señor
One of those who woke up early to participate in the solemn procession was Wilma Estenzo.
The 65-year-old Estenzo, who lost one of her legs in an accident in 2002, proved that her condition is not a hindrance to showing her devotion to the Holy Child.
Estenzo said that Santo Niño’s miracle saved her from the near-death experience.
She stayed along the sidewalk on Osmeña Boulevard to witness the foot procession while selling bottled water with her grandson.
“Wala ra ko’y laing sangpit kang Santo Niño kung di kay ‘Pit Senyor’ kay naluwas gyud ko niya,” Estenzo said.
(I have no other requests from the Santo Nino if not only a ‘Pit Senyor’ because he saved me.)
Walk with Jesus: Wilma Estenzo, who lost one of her legs in an accident in 2002, says the Sto. Nino has saved her life and she is showing her gratitude and devotion to him. | Nina Mae Oliverio
READ: LOOK: Schedule of Novena Masses of Fiesta Señor 2024
Walk with Jesus and Opening Salvo Mass
Thursday’s Penitential Walk with Jesus and Opening Salvo Mass were blessed with fair weather.
The Pilgrim Center at the centuries-old Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño was also jampacked, with devotees occupying every space.
The crowd both at the Penitential Walk with Jesus and inside the Basilica compound was a heartwarming and joyful sight, said Rev. Fr. Nelson Zerda, the Basilica’s rector, who presided over the Mass.
READ: Pit Senyor! Interesting facts about the Señor Sto. Niño
“Ingon sila inig tungtung gyud sa Enero (They say that once January starts), All roads lead to the Basilica. All roads lead to the Sto. Nino,” Zerda said.
Walk with Jesus. Devotees wave as the image of the Holy Child passes by during the procession this morning, January 11. | Christian Dave Cuizon
READ: Devotees urged to buy Santo Niño clothed in red, not green
In his Homily, the friar reminded the faithful of their purpose in life after God, through Jesus Christ, who saved them from their sins to do service.
“Kita giluwas alang sa pagpalangad (We are made for service)…We are made for service,” said Zerda.
The Opening Salvo Mass on Thursday also introduced to the public this year’s Hermano and Hermana – Valentino “Val” Sandiego and Ofelia Sandiego.
This year’s theme for the Fiesta Señor is Sto. Niño: Magnet of Love in the Synodal Church.
ALSO READ
LIST: Sinulog 2024 schedule of activities
Updated foot procession routes for Fiesta Señor 2024 bared
Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival: What’s the difference?