Santo Niño on Its Quincentennial Celebration

The Order of St. Augustine Province of Santo Niño de Cebu is proud to announce the launching of the 500 years celebration of the arrival of the image of Señor Santo Niño at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on November 13, 2019.

The entire Catholic community in the Philippines will celebrate the quincentennial anniversary of the introduction of Christianity in the country in 2021.

The quincentennial celebration commemorates the arrival of the image of the Señor Santo Niño in Cebu on April 7, 1521.

Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the island of Cebu in 1521 bringing religious icons. A week after, the image was given to Queen Juana as a gift from Ferdinand Magellan after she was baptized together with Rajah Jumabon and a good number of natives.

The friars of the Order of Saint Augustine (Augustinians) of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu have outlined necessary preparations for the quincentennial anniversary to spur a wider participation from the catholic faithful and devotees of Santo Niño to this historic religious milestone.

It was known that the Augustinians were the first missionaries in the country and the caretakers of the miraculous image since its finding in 1565.

The launching event will have a mass to be presided by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, His Excellency Most Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia. The series of activities will include the blessing of the official Santo Niño pilgrim images and the unveiling of the 500 years logo, website, and activities that the Augustinians have planned and prepared for the 500 years celebration which will culminate in 2021. (MLC)