At Sacred Heart Parish, Hawi, the statue of Santa Nino courtesy of Father Norlito Conception, is positioned in a place of honor. (Photo courtesy Linda Vilena)
The celebration at St. Anthony, Kalihi, included cultural folk dances. (Photo courtesy Dann Ebina)
At St. Anthony Church, Kalihi, a parishioner proudly holds her statuette of Santa Nino. (Photo courtesy Dann Ebina)
St. George, Waimanalo, parishioners bring up their statues for blessing. (Photo courtesy Vicky DeSilva)
The Philippine festival of Santo Nino, the Holy Infant Jesus celebrating the island nation’s oldest religious icon, Santo Nino de Cebu, is becoming more popular in Hawaii, especially in anticipation of the 500th anniversary next year of the Catholic faith coming to the Philippines.
Last month, the Big Island came together for Island-wide devotions to Santo Nino. The well-attended island-wide event, also called a Sinulog festival, was first hosted this year Jan. 18 by Sacred Heart Parish, Hawi. The highlight was Mass and a blessing of children and devotional statues of the Infant Jesus.
The occasion was made special by the welcoming of a replica statue of the Holy Infant Jesus of Cebu from the Philippines courtesy of Father Norlito Concepcion. The statue of the Santo Nino de Cebu is currently on a tour of Big Island parishes.
At St. Anthony Parish in Kalihi, many parishioners brought their Santo Nino statues to church on Jan. 19 for a blessing and procession.
And in Waimanalo last week, St. George parishioners celebrated the icon with a Mass and in song.
Bishop Larry Silva is planning a “grand celebration” to mark the Philippine Catholic Church’s 500th anniversary sometime around Easter 2021 at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.