Devotees walk to thank Sto. Niño

Twelve years ago, his grandmother nearly died from a heart attack.

When she recovered, Lola Rose made it a point to join the first novena procession for the Sto. Niño.

Although another heart ailment keeps her in a wheelchair, her faith has never faltered.

“Eventually, I’ve learned to seek him too,” said her grandson, Mark Jason Saraw, an engineering graduate yesterday.

Even after his grandmother passes on, Saraw said he will make sure to attend the annual novena procession and Mass.

Another devotee, 38-year-old Tessie Sarabia of Lapu-Lapu City said she named her son after the Holy Child.

Carrying seven-month-old Terence Niño, in her arms, Sarabia said the boy was “a gift” after she and her husband, a childless couple, prayed for years to have offspring.

“Because of Him, our family is now complete,” she said.

Christine Delcala, a 25-year-old nurse, said she joined the “Walk with Jesus and first novena Mass for the first time yesterday.

She was set to leave for New Zealand last year when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in October.

Friends advised her to to call on the Sto. Niño.

“I am praying for my mother’s recovery. I’m also seeking the Sto Niño’s guidance whether to go abroad or not. I’m not a very devout Catholic, but I’m giving this a shot,” said Delcala, holding a lighted red candle.

She was one among about 80,000 people walking behind the carroza of the Sto. Niño in the first procession of the novena. At the tail end followed motorcycles and private vehicles. Some devotees rode bicycles.

It was standing room only at the 3,500-capacity Pilgrim Center, where Mass was held.

Fr. Tito Soquino, OAD, said the high turnout was “not surprising” as the recent calamities and floodings were likely on the minds of many devotees.

“The recent events were a wake up call for many of us that our devotion to the Sto. Nino and our faith must be connected to actual realities,” Soquino said.

He said the hymn or “gozos” “Bato Balani sa Gugma” which is often sung in the Fiesta Señor is a reminder that the Child Jesus is calling his flock.

“The Sto. Niño is calling us to come together, get our act together and work together. Devotees should also be reminded not to just pray for personal gain but for all concerns,” he said. Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya