Santo Niño de Cebu
The image of the Santo Niño de Cebu is a wooden image. It is believed to have been given as a gift by Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana as a gift for her Baptism.
In 1519, Magellan had sailed for the King of Spain in search of spices. He landed in Limasawa, in the central part of the Philippines. Magellan claimed the islands for Spain and named them after King Philip. Magellan headed for the island of Cebu, where he was warmly received by the King Humabon and Queen Juana. Both the King and Queen embraced Christianity. In exchange for their hospitality, Magellan joined King Humabon’s forces in a battle against a neighboring tribe. Unfortunately, Magellan died in the battle. Upon this, his men returned to Spain.
In 1565, another expedition led by an Augustinian monk, Andres Urdanata, set out from Mexico and arrived in Cebu on April 27. The Cebuanos, suspicious that the Spaniards had returned to avenge Magellan’s death, waged war on the Spaniards. They were, however, no match for the heavy artillery and cannons of the Spanish soldiers. The natives were forced to flee, leaving their town to burn. In one of the burnt houses, a Spanish Soldier found the image of the Santo Niño in a wooden box, miraculously spared from any damage. Since then the miraculously image has become the Patron Saint of the Cebuanos. Many miracles have been attributed to the Child Jesus under this devotion.
The Spaniards built two churches over the location in which the Santo Niño was found. These were built with wood and nipa, and both were destroyed by fire. The present church dates from the year 1735. In 1965, it received the title of “Basilica Minor del Santo Niño”. The original statue is kept in the convent and a replica, adorned with gold and stones, is kept behind glass in the Basilica del Santo Niño.
For centuries, devotion to the Holy Child continues to grow, due to the many favors and miracles granted to the faithful by Jesus. Every third Sunday in January, a great feast is held to honor the Holy Child. Millions of people crowd the streets in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño of Cebu.
The Address for the Basilica de Santo Niño is:
Basilica de Sto Niño
Augustinian Friars
Osmeña Blvd, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
P.O. Box 228
Tel No. (032)255-6697
The official website of the Basilica Minor de Santo Niño de Cebu is found at: http://www.stoninodecebu.com/links.php .
Also, in the United states, an organization exists in San Francisco, California, known as the Santo Niño de Cebu Association International. This organization promotes the devotion to the Santo Niño in the United States. Their web address is: www.santoninodecebu.org .
In 1519, Magellan had sailed for the King of Spain in search of spices. He landed in Limasawa, in the central part of the Philippines. Magellan claimed the islands for Spain and named them after King Philip. Magellan headed for the island of Cebu, where he was warmly received by the King Humabon and Queen Juana. Both the King and Queen embraced Christianity. In exchange for their hospitality, Magellan joined King Humabon’s forces in a battle against a neighboring tribe. Unfortunately, Magellan died in the battle. Upon this, his men returned to Spain.
In 1565, another expedition led by an Augustinian monk, Andres Urdanata, set out from Mexico and arrived in Cebu on April 27. The Cebuanos, suspicious that the Spaniards had returned to avenge Magellan’s death, waged war on the Spaniards. They were, however, no match for the heavy artillery and cannons of the Spanish soldiers. The natives were forced to flee, leaving their town to burn. In one of the burnt houses, a Spanish Soldier found the image of the Santo Niño in a wooden box, miraculously spared from any damage. Since then the miraculously image has become the Patron Saint of the Cebuanos. Many miracles have been attributed to the Child Jesus under this devotion.
The Spaniards built two churches over the location in which the Santo Niño was found. These were built with wood and nipa, and both were destroyed by fire. The present church dates from the year 1735. In 1965, it received the title of “Basilica Minor del Santo Niño”. The original statue is kept in the convent and a replica, adorned with gold and stones, is kept behind glass in the Basilica del Santo Niño.
For centuries, devotion to the Holy Child continues to grow, due to the many favors and miracles granted to the faithful by Jesus. Every third Sunday in January, a great feast is held to honor the Holy Child. Millions of people crowd the streets in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño of Cebu.
The Address for the Basilica de Santo Niño is:
Basilica de Sto Niño
Augustinian Friars
Osmeña Blvd, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
P.O. Box 228
Tel No. (032)255-6697
The official website of the Basilica Minor de Santo Niño de Cebu is found at: http://www.stoninodecebu.com/links.php .
Also, in the United states, an organization exists in San Francisco, California, known as the Santo Niño de Cebu Association International. This organization promotes the devotion to the Santo Niño in the United States. Their web address is: www.santoninodecebu.org .
