Our Hideaway

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By Beams Hermosilla

The author, from Dapdap, Compostela, Cebu, is now a third year college student in Cebu City. Here she reflects on the Sto Niño, the Holy Child: ‘You are the happiness of those who mourn, the treasure of my heart’.

The year was 2006 when I first set foot in the Basilica del Sto Niño de Cebu. My visit to the historic church wasn’t really part of my plan. My primary purpose when I came here to the city was to earn my bachelor’s degree. Long before I’d heard about the miraculous image of Senyor Santo Niño but had just taken it for granted.

Until one day when a classmate invited me to accompany her to the Basilica for the traditional dagkot, the lighting of a candle at the shrine. Honestly, I was confused but, unmindful, I accompanied her. As I entered, I saw hundreds of devotees and foreigners. It was really great!

We celebrate the feast of the Sto Niño on the third Sunday of January. Aside from the famous Sinulog Festival there is also a song-writing contest called Huniño, which was started last year. The name is a combination of ‘huni’, the Cebuano word for ‘song’ and ‘niño’, the Spanish word for ‘boy child’.

Every time I take part in Mass in the Basilica, I feel I am at peace. Perhaps this historic church knows everything about me. Every time I have a problem I go there. Every time I feel great, this church is the first to know how I feel.When I feel that the world hates me, I frankly tell Jesus that I am ‘mad’ at him. But those negative emotions vanish right after I share them with him.

Who would have thought that my first unmindful visit to the Basilica would subsequently make me feel an emptiness if I missed visiting there even just for a single day . . .

I am also very thankful to all the Augustinian friars who have helped change my life and made me a more spiritually-mature individual through their touching homilies and teachings. May they continue to serve humanity . . .

Try to visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu and experience his true presence!

The official website of the Basilica is www.basilicadelsantoninodecebu.org.ph

You may email Beams at hermosilla_beams@yahoo.com