Mags Gargan
Santo Niño de Cebu considered oldest Christian relic in the Philippines
A large representation of St Joseph’s Filipino Community based at the Carmelite Church in Berkeley Road, Dublin recently celebrated their 15th annual Santo Niño Novena.
The nine-day novena involved a solemn outdoor procession, ceremonial Mass and traditional dances held on the feast day. Different Filipino groups and associations from all over the country participated in these events.
The image now known as Santo Niño de Cebu is considered the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines. It is enshrined and venerated at the oldest church in the country, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City, and almost every Catholic home keeps an image of Santo Niño on their altars.
Eucharistic celebration, street dancing festivals, colourful parades, fluvial procession, and other festive commemorative rites are held in many parts of the Philippines in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño.
The first celebration of the feast day in Ireland was organised by a small group of Filipinos in the year 2000 with the guidance of Fr Patrick Keenan, ODC.
