Pagadian devotees offer prayer for quake victims
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga Del Sur — Around a thousand Catholic devotees in this city danced for the image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu, believed to be miraculous, with intentions of safety and strength for victims of the series of quakes in Mindanao.
The religious image arrived here on Thursday, part of its tour in the run-up to the commemoration of the arrival of the Christian faith in the country in 2021.
Pagadian devotee Irish Jada Bernal said she made sure to be among those who welcome the image of Sr. Sto. Niño de Cebu to express her love and devotion and her deep prayers for the protection of the victims of the earthquake in central Mindanao.
“I was very worried, especially to the families who now stay on tents and in evacuation centers. I am praying they would be strong enough for the challenges they are currently experiencing,” she said.
Aurora Aljas of Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur, traveled long just to welcome the image in Pagadian City.
“It’s my dream to see the image of Sr. Sto. Niño de Cebu personally, this is my first time. And I’m happy to have the opportunity to pray in front of the image for my health, for my daughter who would be taking her board examination, and for the victims of the calamity on the other side of Mindanao,” Aljas said.
She added that her heart breaks seeing their situation on the news and on social media every now and then, praying they could survive the situation and have stronger faith on the Almighty.
Bibi Candia, a resident of Barangay Bomba, Pagadian City was thankful for the image’s visit and sent prayers for protection from calamities.
Rev. Allan Onden, Sto. Niño cathedral parish administrator, told the Inquirer that the city is part of the pilgrimage of the image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu to observe it’s 500th year since arriving in Cebu, brought by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
“We pray that the tremors calm down, for the people’s security and safety, for the victims to strengthen their faith despite the challenges they are in at the moment,” Onden said./lzb
