17 February 2025 · 2025-02 newsletter
Sunday 19th January united us in a special way with the Philippines, especially Cebu where our Sisters are ministering and where, on the third Sunday of January annually, the festival of Santo Nino – the Sinulog – is celebrated.
You may be asking what the Sinulog is and why were we celebrating. The Sinulog Festival is a cultural celebration in the Philippines that honours Santo Niño, the infant Jesus.
The Sinulog is observed as a celebration of the Filipino people’s embrace of Christianity, marking a significant moment in the country’s religious and cultural history, particularly in Cebu. The festival features dancing, music, and colourful costumes, with the many participants carrying a little statue of Santo Niño
At Mount Richon, in spite of a 40 plus degree temperature, the many Filipinos in Perth filed into Emilie House, placed their Santo Niños on the specially prepared Altar and enjoyed hearing over and over again the History of Santo Niño. This history can be traced back to 1521, when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu. It was during this time that Queen Juana, wife of a local chieftain, Rajah Humabon, was said to have received the iconic image of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) as a gift from Magellan.
For our celebration, many women came in their traditional costumes and the silken shirts of the men added to the solemnity.
Even angels made it possible to show their presence and to make us aware of the much-loved Child Jesus, to whom everyone uses the greeting “Pit Senyor” during this time of Festival. “Pit Senyor” is a Cebuano phrase that means “a plea to the Señor Santo Niño”.
The Holy Mass, readings, songs and homily by Father Benny, the spiritual offerings together with being so squashed in Emilie House because of the many participants, made us feel like we were in the Philippines. The weather did its best to prove this.
After holy Mass we went in procession to the Shrine where everyone was able to give Our Lady a Rose and the children prayed the Consecration Prayer.
At long last, we could start with the Sinulog. Even the sound system was worthy of our Filipino heritage: it came through loud and clear.
Back at Emilie House a monstrous supper was being served and enjoyed by all. So much care had been given to presenting traditional delicacies that not much was left at the end.
The organiser of the Festival, Edna from the Kelmscott Parish, promised in the future to get a cover for the Shrine to make it possible to have our Sinulog dancing in a more elaborate way so we will not have to dance in the heat of the day.
We give thanks for this opportunity to share in the riches of the cultures of those who have come from overseas and have made Australia their home.
Sr. M Lisette
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