Praying with the Image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu

Today, we commemorate the 455th Anniversary of the Kaplag or the Finding of the Image of the Santo Niño. This commemoration is important especially for us today because it reminds us of God’s abiding presence even in the midst of the difficulties that we face. The image of the Santo Niño de Cebu as the

Santo Niño de Cebu and Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection

The image of Santo Niño is often associated with the season of Christmas and the many Santo Niño festivals in the country like the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo and the Sinulog in Cebu. It is during this time that we see the proliferation of the images of the Holy Child in the

God as a Smiling Child

When we think of God, what usually comes into our mind is a stern disciplinarian up above the skies who looks at us with piercing eyes. The Santo Niño gives us another image of God. We have a child who is smiling at us. This captivating smile of the image speaks about our God who

Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines holds 10th Ordinary Provincial Chapter

Today the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines holds its 10th Ordinary Provincial Chapter at the Santo Niño Spirituality Center in Tolo-tolo, Consolacion, Cebu. An Ordinary Provincial Chapter is held every fourth year in each province of the Order of St. Augustine where the chapter members examine the state of the province and set

The Image of Santo Niño de Cebu as a Sign of Christ

As a Sacred Image in the Church, the image of Santo Niño de Cebu is a sign of Christ. It is not honored in itself. Rather, it is honored because it represents the God-Man Jesus Christ who became a child like us. The Fathers of the Council of Trent decreed: “We honor sacred images not

What the Image of Santo Niño Teaches us about Love

What is love? Through the ages, many people have attempted to define love. And yet, no one has fully fathomed its meaning. As the popular song goes, “Love is a many splendored thing.” This richness of meaning only speaks of how deep this mystery of love is to us. One of the ways we can

The Parish Community of St. Augustine of Hippo – A Mirror of Santo Niño: Cause of Our Unity and Charity

Naimbag nga begat kenyayu! (Good morning to all of you!) Mangantayon! (Let’s eat!) Agyamanak! (Thank you!) These are some of the Ilocano words I have learned in my three day stay in our Parish Community of Saint Augustine of Hippo in Saguday, Quirino Province last February 7-9, 2020. I was privileged to visit this community

The Santo Niño de Cebu and Stories of Healing

There are many stories of healing miracles that have been attributed to the image of Señor Santo Nino de Cebu. These miracle stories are significant for the devotees because they are the “why of the devotion, or the reason for its perpetuation.”(Astrid Sala-Boza) Some of these stories which were handed down from generations of devotees

Santo Niño: A God with Us

In the midst of the difficulties and threat of a violent eruption of Taal, some of the displaced residents continue to dance and bring their wooden images of the Santo Niño during the feast day of the Santo Niño last Sunday. Near a box of coins and bills, the cute little image of the Santo

Understanding the Devotion to Señor Santo Niño de Cebu

Today we celebrate the feast of the oldest symbol of Christianity in the Philippines – the image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu. In fact, the image of the Santo Niño is as old as Christianity in the country. It was during the arrival of the Santo Niño in our shores in 1521 brought by