Fiesta Señor 2012 set to focus on family values

This year’s Fiesta Señor,  the religious roots  of the Sinulog festival will center on the family and the Sto. Niño’s role as preserver of society’s basic social unit.

“The call here is to strengthen the family. The family is the very core and center of our society. If it is dismantled, the whole society will also be destroyed,” said  Fr. Tito Soquino, OSA.

This year’s  theme is “Sto. Niño: Refuge of the Filipino Christian family.”

Soquino said God, through the Sto. Niño, is asking the Cebuano faithful to rely on him to do what’s right.

“The Sto. Niño is the bato-balani sa gugma (magnet of love). He is our refuge,” said Soquino,  executive director of the Sto. Niño de Cebu Social Development Foundation.

He said the Church espouses the values of marital fidelity and protection of the unborn in this year’s activities.

The Fiesta Señor 2012 kicks off with the Walk With Jesus, which starts at Fuente Osmeña to the Basilica del Sto. Niño at 4 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Fr. Rodolfo Bugna, Augustinian  rector of the centuries-old Basilica del Sto. Niño, will officiate the 5:30 a.m. Mass, which includes the installation of this year’s Hermano and Hermana Mayores at the  pilgrim center of the basilica.

Among the activities of this year’s Fiesta Señor is a visit of the image of  the Sto. Niño to prisoners and Masses  for Children on Jan. 8 and the Environment on Jan. 10.

The traditional hubo or changing of clothes of the Sto. Niño, which caps  the celebration,  will be held on Jan. 20.

Soquino said they expect more devotees to attend the religious activities this year.

He said he is happy that more young people are joining the activities.

“They (young people) are seeking  something more sublime and deep.

Faith has been the answer to their questions,” he told Cebu Daily News. / Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter