Bringing the Sto. Niño closer to the people and spreading the Gospel teachings on respect for the ecology are two themes for this year’s “Duaw sa Sto. Niño” or out-of-town visit of Cebu’s patron.
Now on its third year, the “duaw” or visit of the image of the Holy Child Jesus will be brought to Biliran, Leyte province, for the first time.
In a press conference yesterday, Fr. Tito Soquiño, chairman of the Sto. Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation, said the event is part of the church’s ecological evangelization.
Climate change and what people can do to respond to this problem will be a theme in the event.
The foundation is the social action arm of the Augustinian congregation in Cebu.
A pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño will be brought on board a Navy vessel while another vessel will serve as an escort, said Navforcen public information officer Ensign Joseph Ison.
A send-off Mass and a short procession from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño to the Malacañang sa Sugbo will be held on Oct. 20 at 5 p.m.
The vessel carrying the Sto. Niño will bear a flag with its coat of arms. This will signal to other sailors at sea that the image is on board.
A military naval honor parade and review will be given to the Sto. Niño once it reaches the port of Naval in Biliran on Oct. 21.
Soquiño said this will mark the first time the Sto. Niño will be visiting a diocese outside Cebu.
It is scheduled to arrive at St. Therese Diocesan Shrine in Calubian, Leyte, on Oct. 22.
Hilongos Leyte Mayor Joy Roble will also participate in the event as co-founder of the St. Therese Diocesan Shrine in Leyte.
The event is also supported by the office of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
His staff member Rey Martinez said this is part of the opening salvo of the upcoming 500 year celebration of Christianity in the country on 2021.
Fr. Soquiño said they are thankful that the third “duaw” as drawn the participation of different groups.
“This is now a multisectoral effort … We are now one in promoting ecological evangelization in the country,” he said.