Devotees called to change themselves as Sto. Niño feast ends

CEBU CITY – As the 452nd Fiesta Señor ends, devotees of the Sto. Niño are called upon to transform themselves  and  make room for God in their lives.

“We need to change our old ways and do what is pleasing to God. The devotion to the Sto. Niño must be expressed not only in words but also in what we do,” said Fr. Pacifico “Jun” Nohara Jr. in his homily during the 4 a.m. “Hubo” Mass that capped the religious activities in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.

“No one is perfect—devotee or not. All of us are sinners. That is why God is giving us second, third, and many chances so we will become better persons. May we have the courage to change our hearts and be consistent in doing the right thing,” he added.

On Friday dawn, Nohara, the rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño, led the annual “Hubo,” a Cebuano word for undress.

A replica of the original Sto. Niño image was stripped of its fiesta clothes, given a ritual bath, and fitted with simpler garments.

About 4,000 devotees packed the courtyard of the basilica’s outdoor Pilgrim Center, many of them bringing their own icons of the Sto. Niño to be blessed.

“Symbolically, the Hubo calls us to unveil our whole self and reveal in us a renewed spirit. As we end the Fiesta Señor, may we be empowered by the Sto. Niño in everything that we do and will do,” Nohara said.

The Augustinian priest said God is neither after what a person possesses, nor his or her credentials, nor religious practices.

“God does not look at our resume or our attendance in Sunday Masses or our affiliations in religious organizations. He looks into our hearts, and He chooses those who are willing to obey and do His will,” said the 43-year-old Nohara, a native of Pilar town, Camotes Island in Cebu, who assumed as rector of the basilica last year.

READ: ‘Be child-like…simple and humble,’ Sto. Niño devotees urged

Concelebrating with Nohara were retired Bishop Christian Vicente Noel, formerly with the Diocese of Talibon in Bohol, and about 50 priests.

The renowned San Diego Dance Troupe danced the Sinulog during the Mass and Hubo ritual.

A replica of the image of the Sto. Niño given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Cebu’s Queen Juana in 1521 was used in the “Hubo” ceremony.

The ritual began with the removal of the crown, followed by the orb and scepter and armlet, the bands, cape, tunic, inner garments and boots.

As pieces of the clothing were removed, Nohara and the congregation sang “Christe exaudi nos (Christ graciously hear us),” to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

After the undressing, the Holy Child’s image was dipped in water, wiped with a towel and dressed in his ordinary garb, starting from his boots up to his crown.

For every piece donned, the faithful sang “Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus, Christus imperat (Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands),” in remembrance of Jesus’ glorious resurrection.

The Hubo ritual ended with a drum roll of the Sinulog beat as the devotees applauded.

The original Sto. Niño image, which was given by Portuguese explorer Magellan as a baptismal gift to Cebu’s Queen Juana in 1521, remains in the marble chapel inside the basilica where pilgrims line up to pay homage.

The changing of the dress of the original image was made in a private ceremony before the feast last Sunday. CDG/rga