Devotees in Mandaue City will have extended time to venerate the image of the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu, as it will stay overnight at the National Shrine of St. Joseph during this year’s Fiesta Señor on January 15.
Fr. Ian Fel Balankig said the overnight visit is a new feature of this year’s celebration.
In previous years, the image was transferred to Lapu-Lapu City on the same evening.
The overnight stay is part of the annual traslacion, a major highlight of Fiesta Señor, which includes the Panagtagbo or meeting of the Holy Family—Señor Sto. Niño, Birhen sa Guadalupe, and St. Joseph—at the boundary of Cebu City and Mandaue City in Barangay Subangdaku.
A welcome Mass will be held at 9 a.m. at the National Shrine of St. Joseph, followed by veneration and kissing of the image until 4 a.m. on January 16.
Additional Masses are scheduled throughout the day until 8 p.m.
Fr. Balankig said the traslacion is both a religious and civic event in Mandaue City, coinciding with the Panagtagbo Festival.
He added that coordination meetings have already been held with church officials, with discussions involving the local government and partner agencies set to follow.
The Señor Sto. Niño image will also stay overnight at the National Shrine of Birhen sa Regla on January 16 ahead of the fluvial procession.
Fr. Balankig said the overnight stays aim to better accommodate devotees from Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities, noting that the churches will remain open throughout the visit. (VCL)
