THE 460th Fiesta Señor celebration opened with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma emphasizing themes of survival, renewal, and hope during the Pontifical Mass on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, as he reflected on the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette (Rai).
“Because we survived, salamat sa Diyos (we to thank God). We have to revive,” Palma said in his homily.
Palma highlighted the resilience and gratitude of the Cebuano people for surmounting life’s trials, especially in the wake of Super Typhoon Odette’s devastation on Dec. 16, 2021.
“As we revive, we know we will thrive,” he added, encouraging the faithful to continue their journey with hope and faith.
Palma’s message resonated with the fiesta’s theme, “Santo Niño: Hope of the Pilgrim Church.”
He noted that this theme was rooted in Pope Francis’s call to reflect on the hardships and challenges of the past, especially those brought by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the catastrophic impact of Super Typhoon Odette, which left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, with Cebu bearing much of the brunt.
“Through the years, makaingon gihapon kita nga Señor Santo Niño, paglaom sa mga pagsulay, tuburan sa kalipay (Through the years, we can still say that the Santo Niño is our hope in times of trials, a source of joy),” Palma said in Cebuano.
He reminded the faithful that the Santo Niño has been a source of strength and joy through difficult times.
Reflecting on the trials that have marked recent years, Palma acknowledged the immense loss caused by the pandemic and natural disasters, but he emphasized that, despite these adversities, the people have emerged stronger.
“Kaluoy sa Diyos, nakalabang gyud kita, (By the grace of God, we have overcome the challenges),” he said.
In addition to his reflections on survival and hope, Palma has drawn lessons from the life of the Santo Niño.
He began by contemplating the image of the Holy Child, noting how the Cebuano ancestors embraced this representation of Christ because of its portrayal as a child, symbolizing innocence, vulnerability, and purity.
Palma then emphasized the significance of obedience, reminding the faithful, “We are children of our parents, but we are also children of God.”
In his reflection titled Panaw sa Kinabuhi ni Señor Santo Niño (The Journey of the Life of Señor Santo Niño), Palma highlighted how the life of the Santo Niño teaches the faithful the essential virtues of faith, humility, and submission to God’s will.
Focusing on Pagpakita sa Iyang Gugma (Demonstration of His Love), Palma spoke of the profound love of the Santo Niño “a love that continually reminds us of God’s unwavering love, especially during our trials and tribulations.”
Concluding his homily, Palma turned his attention to the significance of the Jubilee Year, encouraging the faithful to embrace this time as a period of spiritual pilgrimage.
He invited everyone to see this journey as an opportunity to grow in hope, drawing closer to God and the Santo Niño, and to trust in His guidance and grace. (CDF)
