Viva Santo Niño! A yearly festival to honor the child Jesus

Santo Niño de Cebu. The statue of the child Jesus, wearing kingly garb complete with crown, scepter and a globe, is venerated by many Filipino Catholics. It is said to be one of the oldest religious images in the Philippines. Liturgically, the feast is celebrated on the third Sunday of January. The feast originated in Cebu City which is considered the “second city” of the Philippines and the second most populous Metropolitan area after Metro Manila. It was the first Spanish settlement and the oldest city in the Philippines. One of the more popular fiestas in the Philippines takes place in Cebu City-- the Sinulog which, if you haven’t guessed yet, celebrates the feast of the Santo Niño.  

Every year various groups sponsor Santo Niño feasts around the world. In Toronto, the Estrella Family hosts one of these celebrations. Mass is usually held at the St. Ambrose Church in Etobicoke on the last Saturday of January. Devotees are invited to bring their statues of the Santo Niño to be blessed. After Mass, lunch and fellowship follows in the Church Hall. They have been doing this for the past 30 years!

The Estrella Family, Richmond-Stanley Prayer Group, and devotees of Sto. Niño de Cebu prepare the food enjoyed by everyone, even non-Filipinos. And what Filipino gathering will be complete without music and dancing? After the meal, people are invited to take their Santo Nino statues and dance. Year after year, it has been a wonderful thanksgiving and festive celebration. Prayer, delicious food, and fellowship—ingredients which surely make this feast a success. Viva Santo Niño!