Novena to Sto. Niño
Join this 9-day special novena to Santo Niño de Cebu and bring your families and personal intentions. Pray the Sto. Niño for miracles in your life!
The Christianization that took place in the sixteenth century was not something merely accidental. Divine grace was at work when the people of this region had their first contact with the image of the Santo Nino. It is an important historical fact, rich in religious meaning, that on January 1, 1571 the village kingdom of Sugbu was renamed "Villa del Santo Nino," and thus the first city of the Philippines was placed under the patronage of the Child Jesus. In a particular way the church thank God that the tiny Christian community of Sugbo, under the patronage of the Infant Jesus, has now become a flourishing archdiocese of two million people, almost all of whom are Catholics. It can truly be said that growth in faith and Christian living has been until now a constant feature of the church in Cebu as well as the whole Philippines. The glorious past gives hope for the future.
- St John Paul II - Excerpts from L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO
A bit of history about the Santo Nino de Cebu
Magellan presented this small sacred figure, along with other religious gifts to the Cebu chieftain's wife Hara Amihan to celebrate their conversion to Christianity.
The elaborately dressed carved wooden figure, believed to be of Belgian origin, traveled with Magellan on his voyage of discovery and conquest from Spain to the Philippines, making this the oldest Catholic treasure in the islands.
After Magellan's death at the hands of angry locals in April 1521, the little Jesus disappeared until 1565, when it was rediscovered. The oldest church in the Philippines, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is said to be built over the spot where it was found.
Let us pay homage to the Holy Child
We believe that the Santo Niño is our protector and has the power to grant and answer our prayers.
The image of the Santo Niño is the oldest surviving Catholic relic in the Philippines.
Pope Paul VI issued a Canonical Coronation for the image on 28 April 1965.
Join the devotion through this novena
Join the novena online, for free, and receive each day, by email:
- The act of contrition
- A petition
- Supplications to Sto. Nino Santo Niño.