Basilica open 24 hours for devotees

The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño will be open for 24 hours starting Jan. 17 to give more time for pilgrims who come to Cebu City.

It’s a tradition for devotees to light candles, approach the image of the Holy Child, pray and kiss the glass-encased icon.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the basilica, said this marks the first time the Agustinians who are custodians of the 16th century image, believed to be miraculous, will keep the basilica open all day for three days leading to the Jan. 20 feast day.

“We do this to accommodate the devotees especially those who come from far places. We want to give more time for them to show their devotion,” Mejares said.

A new service this year is the provision of 3,000 umbrellas in red and yellow for those who attend the daily outdoor masses in the Pilgrim Center.

Tents will also be set up to provide shade and protection from the rain for devotees who line up to take their turn to approach the icon, believed by many to be miraculous. At its peak, the long lines extend outside the basilica and down Jakosalem street.

Ten masses are celebrated daily in Cebuano and English from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mejares said he was happy to see high attendance in the first day of the novena mass and the dawn Walk for Jesus on Thursday. He said the celebration remained solemn despite the rain. Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla