Today (July 23, 2021), Rev. Fr. Nelson G. Zerda, OSA has been officially installed as the new Rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu – the home of the five- century old miraculous image of the Holy Child.
One particular tradition of the fiesta is the out loud cry of the phrases- “VIVA PIT SEÑOR!” and “VIVA SEÑOR SANTO NIÑO!” This is done repetitively after the mass or during the dancing of the traditional Sinulog in the Basilica or even made as chants of Sinulog contingents. But, what does this really mean?
Every after nine days for the entire year, the image of Sto. Niño is transferred from one house to another house and the host family would pray the 9 day novena to Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu.
One of the most touching miracles of the Holy Child of Cebu was written by the recipient himself, a sailor of the ship Barcelona, one Fernando Saavedra de Gracia. In his letter, posted from Manila and dated September 26, 1877, addressed to his Cebu based friend, one Don Fidel Maas y Matti.
In the Philippines, there are only 14 Minor Basilicas that were granted with such title by different popes through the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of Sacraments.
A day before the feast of the Sto. Niño, a solemn foot procession is honoured in the name of the Holy Child. While the image is on procession, another image of Sto. Niño arrives at the Basilica that comes from San Nicholas Church (an Augustinian built church).
