An Answered Prayer

The prayers of devotees from the island of Mactan have been heard as this year’s Traslacion  and Fluvial Parade will finally include the Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City as one of the destinations for the images of the Miraculous Child and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Expansion

The expansion of the Fiesta Señor to Lapu-Lapu is the response of the Order of St. Augustine (Augustinian Fathers) to the call of the Oponganons.  For the first time in history, these miraculous images will visit their shrine.’
“The fiesta is not only in Cebu City,” said  Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA, the secretary of the 2018 Fiesta Señor Executive Committee. “It’s not only in Mandaue City by right, but at the same time, ang Lapu – Lapu nakighi-usa nato. Nagpakita sila nga they’re also one with us,” he added.

(The fiesta is not only in Cebu City; it’s not only in Mandaue City by right, but at the same time, Lapu – Lapu also unites with us. They are showing that they’re also one with us.)

History

The Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine (NSDRP) is close to the Augustinians historically because the shrine was an Augustinian Parish before, and the devotion was brought by the Augustinians themselves.

“With the idea [of] coordinating with them, mura’g nindot kaayo ba nga sila shrine sad, naay mga deboto. Kung i-tap nimo ngadto, it would be a good place of spiking up the turnout of devotees,” Fr. Reyes added.
(With the idea of coordinating with them, it is somehow good because they are also a shrine that has devotees. If you tap them, it would be a good place of spiking up the turnout of devotees.)

Faith

The religious event serves as a blessing for the Oponganons as they have longed for this for a long time.
“We would see it as a blessing kay dugay na ni gipangandoy sa mga katawhan sa taga Opon,” said Fr. Bernard Corpuz, parish priest of NSDRP.

(We would see it as a blessing because the people of Opon have been waiting for this for a very long time.

Sure enough, the response of the Oponganons exceeded expectations. The announcement of the expansion resulted in a surge of support, even from devotees in the far-flung areas of neighboring islands.

“Excited na kaayo ang mga tawo. Sige na sila’g panawag diri sa office. In fact, bisag taga Olango muanhi gyud.” Aleth Doce, core group member of Translacion in NSDRP, stated.

(The people are very excited. They keep on calling the [Parish] office. In fact, people from Olango [Island] will really come here.)

Implication

This milestone is also an expression of people’s growing devotion to the Miraculous Child. Though no indispensable change has been done yet, an expanding scope of faith and lauding is still the most important way for Sto. Niño be well-known to others.

The goal of the expansion is to reach out and introduce the Sto. Niño to other people and continue to nourish the devotion and faith of the devotees.

The organizers of the feast are hoping that this development will be practiced for many years to come.

To all who wish to join this solemn activity on January 20, 2018 please be guided accordingly:

2:00 AM – Send-off Mass at National Shrine of St. Joseph – Mandaue
3:00 AM – Traslacion to Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine – Lapu-Lapu City
4:00 AM – Holy Mass at Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine – Lapu-Lapu City
5:30 AM – Motorcade to NAVFORCEN
6:00 AM – Fluvial Procession

BMSN Media Center Student Volunteer | Matthew Sulla