450th Sto. Nino Kaplag Celebration Starts

The 450th Kaplag celebration on the discovery of the image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu officially opened on Sunday with an opening salvo mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in this city.

The celebration marks the discovery of the image of the Holy child Jesus in the city 450 years ago.

This is separate from the feast of the Sto. Nino which falls on every third Sunday of January and capped with the sinulog Grand Parade.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, the basilica’s rector, urged the faithful to let go of the unfavorable memories and disappointments of the past and “go back to the first love, the love of Sto. Niño.”

He said that the people today are like some disciples in the past who also experienced doubts and frustrations but continued to believe in God.

Mejares also reminded the public to use technology properly, as the medium is affecting the spiritual lives of the people.

“Let us not allow technology to replace Jesus in our life, let us not allow the things of this world to become so large in our eyes that we cannot see Senior Santo Niño anymore, let us not allow the things that we encounter to become so big, our worries and fears, that we lose sight of Jesus has beckons us to success and victory.” Mejares said.

He encouraged the people to propagate the values and practices of a Christian to bring a bright future for Cebu, the Philippines and the entire world. (PNA) CTB/EB/PJN