Feast of Santo Niño
January 18, 2015
Mark 10: 13-16
"Let
the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.”
 | |
| Pope Francis with poor children. Photo credit: www.philstar.com |
Today, Filipino Catholics are the happiest people in the world. Two historic religious events are breaking in
the same day in the Philippine soil. The first is the Papal visit of our Holy
Father Francis and the second is the unique celebration of the feast of the
Child Jesus or Santo Niño. Certainly, the events do not only fuel the hearts
with joy and enthusiasm, but these are defining moments of the entire nation,
the stories that will be remembered throughout generations.
Santo Niño has an extremely
significant role in the evangelization of the Philippines. Santo Niño was the
very first religious image that was given to a newly converted Queen of Cebu by
the earliest Spaniards that landed on the Far East. This pioneer Spanish
expedition team, however, was driven away, but the Santo Niño remained with the
people. When another Spanish fleet led by Miguel Lopes de Legazpi returned, the
indigenous fought them and the village was caught in fire. Yet, when Spaniards
entered the ruined village, surprisingly they discovered the image, survived
the fire. They started paying their homage to God and paraded the miraculous
image. Witnessing this event and the faith that prevailed over fire of hatred,
the local people went back to the village and began to be evangelized. Since
then, the festivity of Santo Niño has been celebrated with much dance,
happiness and colors.
The Filipino Catholics believe
that it is through the intercession of Santo Niño that the evangelization was successful
and in fact, the Philippines remains a Catholic nation despite so many trials
and challenges. Acknowledging His divine Providence, Pope Paul VI granted the
Filipino people’s request to celebrate the feast of Santo Niño at the third
Sunday of Ordinary time.
Today as well, we witness
millions faithful marching towards Luneta Park, Manila, where our good Pope
celebrates a Holy Mass and blesses the country. Admittedly, Pope Francis is a
people-magnet, not because he likes publicity, but his compassionate actions toward
the poor and the marginalized have electrified the world. It seems the world is
longing for a genuinely loving person, and it finds him in Francis.
I no longer mention the long list
of his singular deeds that move hearts into tears, but it is sufficient to
point a meaningful connection between him and Santo Niño. One thing I notice is
that he has this genuine love for little children. Just after his arrival in
Manila, during his travel to his rest house from the airport, he spotted a
little baby among the cheering faithful, stopped his way, and took the child and
kissed its head. We will also easily notice that almost in every activities,
the children would come near him and he would gladly embrace them. Our Francis
is also a pope of surprises and he made an unplanned yet fatherly visit to
homeless kids on Tulay ang Kabataan
Foundation just near Manila Cathedral. In the meeting with the Family at
the MOA Arena, he reiterated Christ’s teaching on the family as he asked the
people to protect the family and the children who are the future of humanity.
The Child Jesus reminds us to welcome
children, the weakest and often the most insignificant part of the society. God
was once a little and cute baby and He let human parents to take care of Him,
to protect and educate Him. There is always an image of God in every little one
and to reject them means to reject God Himself. Let us learn from the example
of our Holy Father Francis. We call him father precisely because we may become
his children and we may imitate his tender care for the poor, the marginalized
and especially the children.
Mabuhay Papa Francisco!
Mabuhay Santo Niño!
Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno,
OP
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