CEBU CITY – Some 3,500 Catholic faithful gathered at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño here and witnessed the launching of the 500th year anniversary celebration of the birth of Christianity and the arrival of the holy image of the Child Jesus in the country.
Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the papal nuncio of the Vatican to the Philippines, also led the clergy in an open-to-public conference.
Caccia along with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, priests and religious, later proceeded to celebrate the Holy Mass to mark the opening of quincentennial of the Christian faith in the country.
In his homily, he invited the faithful to reflect on the mystery of the image of the Santo Niño who, despite being a child, carries a globe, a sceptre and wears a crown and robe. “The Santo Niño also reminds us of our call to spread Christ throughout the world,” he said.
He underscored the childlike mystery of the Child Jesus. “And this is the image of God…God wants us to take the best of our nature, without fear but with joy, because the definition of God is love,” he said.
Mayor Edgardo Labella, who attended the grand launching, expressed his full support to the church’s celebration which will culminate in 2021. ( Fe Marie Dumaboc and John Rey Saavedra)
Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Read And Share Our News: Mindanao Examiner Website
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates
20
