An Answered Prayer: Couple’s Faith Journey to Parenthood | StoryaNiño

An Answered Prayer: Couple’s Faith Journey to Parenthood | StoryaNiño

At first glance, they appear to be an ordinary couple attending the Novena Masses at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. In moments of deep emotion, they hold hands tightly, with one of them carrying an image of Señor Santo Niño. But beneath the surface, their story is one of faith, hope, and a journey that deserves to be shared.

Married for three years, Mary Dan and Raphael prayed wholeheartedly to Señor Santo Niño to complete their family. A year later, they return to Him eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. 

Mary Dan, 36, and Raphael, 34, visited the Basilica during last year’s Fiesta Señor, seeking the Holy Child’s blessing to fulfill their long-awaited dream of having a child. They even asked the candle vendors around the Basilica to intercede on their behalf, requesting their petition through the traditional “sinug,” a prayer dance performed in and around the Basilica.

They remembered the advice of one of the candle vendors who performed the ‘sinug’, urging them not to lose hope even if their prayers were not immediately answered. With unwavering hope, the couple returned to the Basilica, their faith renewed and their prayers steadfast, holding on to their earnest desire to start a loving and devoted family. 

A year later, Mary Dan and Raphael, who reside in Liloan, Cebu, went to the Basilica with grateful hearts as Mary Dan is now bearing their answered prayer from Señor Santo Niño. 

“Last year, amo ning gipangayo ug gipa-sinug,” said Mary Dan, who is now four months pregnant. 

Despite the delay, the couple expressed their gratitude to the Holy Child with fervor, hopeful that their child would be filled with joy and love. 

“Ang amo gyud gipangayo kay beacon of love sama gyud ni Santo Niño nga mahimo siyang instrumento sa mga tawo ug sa iyang palibot nga magmalipayon ug hopeful,” Raphael shared. 

“Si Santo Niño ang amoang gravity (para) mo-stick together mi sa unsa among mga plano,” he added, confessing that Señor Santo Niño is the center of their marriage and future family, a testament to their unwavering faith. 

Mary Dan and Raphael admitted to supposedly attending the 7:00 AM Mass. Due to the difficulty of locating a parking space, they opted to attend the next Mass schedule.

Little did Mary Dan and Raphael know that they were about to attend the 8:00 AM Children’s Mass. 

Despite the earlier setback, each believed they were destined to participate in the special Mass for children, clad in red and gold. For them, it was a sign from the heavens and made them recall the cherished moment when they first laid eyes on each other.

“Para nako, it’s a sign. Tanang nahitabo sa amo sign gyud. Sa amo pagkaila sukad, and then sa among kasal, ug sa amo baby puhon,” Raphael conveyed. 

As an expectant mother, Mary Dan prayed to Señor Santo Niño, asking for her child to grow up with the same devotion she held. Among her heartfelt petitions was a plea for good health for all, particularly for the little one she was about to bring into the world.

“Good health lang gyud… [and] of course to be God-fearing, wise, and at the same time to be kind to the people around and to any living things,” said Mary Dan, who desires their child to grow in faith and kindness. 

Meanwhile, Raphael, whose faith and devotion had been strengthened even during his younger years as an altar server, shared his desire to be a father. He ceaselessly implored the Señor Santo Niño to make them good role models for their future child.

“Hopefully, kami ang mahimong instrumento ni Lord,” he said with eyes gleaming with hope.

As Mary Dan and Raphael eagerly await the arrival of their first child, they are excited to bring their little one to next year’s Fiesta Señor. They both look forward to attending the Children’s Mass together, envisioning their child dressed in Santo Niño-inspired attire. 

“Hopefully, madala namo ang amo baby puhon,” Mary Dan said, her eyes sparkling with a smile. /Nicholas Jon Malaga, BMSN Media Centre student volunteer

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