January 18th: The Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú

The Santo Niño de Cebú: God Comes to Us as a Child

Each year, the Church invites us to remember a beautiful truth of our faith: God chose to come to us as a child. This mystery is especially loved by Filipino Catholics through devotion to the Señor Santo Niño de Cebú, the Holy Child Jesus. Here at Good Shepherd, our Philippine community will celebrate this beloved feast on January 18th at 17:00, and we warmly invite everyone to join in prayer and joy.

The Santo Niño de Cebú is the oldest Christian image in the Philippines. It was given in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana at their baptism. The small wooden statue shows the Child Jesus dressed as a king. He holds a globe with a cross, reminding us that even as a child, Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Over many years, faithful people have offered jewelry and fine clothing to the image as signs of love, prayer, and thanksgiving.

A Sign of God's Closeness

The image has survived wars, fires, and great destruction. Many believers see this as a sign that God stays close to His people, even in difficult times. Today, the original Santo Niño is kept in the Basilica Menor del Santo Niño in Cebu, where people from many places come to pray. They bring their hopes, their struggles, and their gratitude to the Holy Child.

The Feast of the Santo Niño, also called Fiesta Señor, is celebrated with prayer, processions, and the joyful Sinulog dance. These celebrations are not only cultural events. They are acts of faith. Through music, movement, and prayer, people show their love and trust in Jesus.

Trusting in Jesus with Childlike Trust Prepares Us for God's Kingdom

Jesus invites us to trust in Him with all that we carry in our hearts: our hopes, worries, fears, and difficulties as children do with their parents. When we do, we draw close Jesus' heart and prepare ourselves to enter the Kingdom of God. “Amen, I say to you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18: 2-4). As we honor the Santo Niño on January 18th, may we learn to trust God like children—open, hopeful, and full of joy. May the Holy Child walk with us in our families, our parish, and our daily lives.

To follow along with the Mass, please consult the Eucalette here.