Shorter, wider procession route for Sto. Niño
A SHORTER route with more room to move is planned for the annual religious procession of the Sto. Niño de Cebu on the vesperas of the feast day on Saturday, Jan. 14.
“The devotees are disciplined. There is no need to tell people what to do,” said Rev. Fr. Tito Soquino.
He said the 5.8-kilometer route for the solemn procession was a shortened a little compared to last year.
“We want the procession to pass through the (major) streets of the city as much as possible,” Soquino said.
The prayer walk will start at 1:30 p.m.
From the basilica, the carrozas of St. Joseph, Our Lady of Consolation, and the Sto. Niño de Cebu will pass along Juan Luna Street then to Osmeña Boulevard.
Upon reaching the Fuente Osmeña circle, the procession will proceed to General Maxilom Avenue, Imus Street, MJ Cuenco Avenue, Gomez Street, Burgos Street, and back to the basilica.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is expected to carry the image of the Sto. Niño to its carroza and bring it back to its altar after the procession.
The Augustian fathers, who have custody of the basilica and the Sto. Niño de Cebu, said Palma may also be joining the procession.
The procession, which is expected to draw thousands of devotees, is coordinated with the Cebu City government and traffic managers.
On Jan. 13, the images of the Sto. Niño, Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, and the Ecce Homo (bust of the suffering Christ) will brought in a motorcade to the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City.
After an overnight vigil, the icons will sail on a galleon down the Mactan Channel for the fluvial procession from the Ouano wharf to Pier 1 in Cebu City pier.
Msgr. Cristobal Garcia, chairman of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Worship, will lead a Mass that features reenactments of the planting of the cross first mass and baptisms of Rajah Humabon, Hara Humamay, and the natives in 1521.
Archbishop Palma will lead the pontifical mass on the feast of the Sto. Niño on Jan. 15 at 6 a.m. at the basilica’s pilgrim center. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol
