TRASLACION 2018: THE MOVING FAITH
With the dynamic beats of the drums, the blasting horns of the cars, the shouts and praises of joy and gratitude, and the unwavering faith of the devotees, these compass the Traslacion to Mandaue of the Fiesta Senor 2018.
At seven o’clock in the morning, the images of Birhen sa Guadalupe and the Holy Child, Snr. Sto. Nino, left the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu (BMSN) surrounded by policemen and volunteers in their motorcycles. This was attended by the BMSN Rector Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., OSA, along with the Hermano and Hermana.
From a rainy dawn to a sunny morning, it seems like Snr. Sto. Nino blessed the solemn event. Around ten thousand of devotees waited along the roads of the Traslacion route bringing and waving red and yellow flaglets, handkerchiefs, and their own Sto. Nino image.
As the Holy Child passed by the believers, excitement was evident on their faces. Their long wait for the image of the Holy Child was nothing compared to the seconds of joy they felt upon seeing Him.
The Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing met at the boundary of the two cities where the turnover of the Birhen sa Guadalupe and Snr. Sto. Nino transpired.
The images arrived at nine o’clock at the National Shrine of St. Joseph (NSSJ) where it was welcomed by Msgr. Daniel Sanico, parish priest. The panagtabo of the Holy Family is signified by this visitation of the Birhen sa Guadalupe and Sr. Sto. Nino to St. Joseph.
The mass started right after the arrival of the sacred images in the NSSJ presided by the parish priest. The mass was attended by the Mandaue City officials headed by Mayor Quisumbing and Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna.
In the homily of Fr. Sanico, he reminded the people of the basic teachings.
Humility. We humans believe that we are entitled to many things. We demand from God to give us what we want. But He doesn’t give everything because not all we want is what we need. And there are some things we have to work for. Self-entitlement hinders us to learn humility.
Generosity. The Lord had given us His only son and this is the greatest act of generosity.
Obedience. Mary and Joseph showed obedience to the Lord when they followed His call through the message of an angel. They are our role models for obedience.
These three teachings are manifested by the Child Jesus. His being Hari nga Gamay (Little King) shows humility. The small globe He is holding tells us that the world is small compared to His great generosity. And from the start, the Sto. Nino speaks of holy obedience to the Father.
As devotees of the Holy Child, we are inspired to be like Nino as we practice humility, generosity, and obedience.
Viva Pit Senor!
BMSN Media Center Student Volunteers | Matthew Sulla and Eunice Jose – USC
