Advincula urges Catholics to confront painful truths at Santo Niño feast

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Sunday challenged the faithful to be open to painful and difficult truths, just as the Infant Jesus grew to fulfill his mission as the promised Messiah, during the Feast of the Santo Niño or Infant Jesus.  

Advincula presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the Sto. Niño de Pandacan Parish in Manila, where devotion to the Infant Jesus remains alive and thriving, despite the fire in 2020.

READ: Faith that endures: Filipinos' unwavering devotion to the Sto. Niño

“Sa pakikipagkaibigan natin kay Santo Nino, kay Niño Hesus, kailangan din nating maging bukas sa mga katotohanan ipaparating niya sa atin kahit mahirap at masakit,” Advincula said during his homily.

(In our friendship with the Santo Niño, with the Child Jesus, we also need to be open to the truths He will reveal to us, even if they are difficult and painful.)

“Oo naging bata sa Hesus, subalit hindi siya nanatiling bata. Nakapaloob sa dinamismo ng isang bata, ang paglaki at pagunlad. Tumanda siya at naging handang harapin ang mga hamon ng pagsunod sa naririnig mula sa Kanyang Ama hanggang sa punto ng kamatayan,” he added.

(Yes, Jesus was a child, but He did not remain so. Like every child, He grew up and became ready to face the challenges of following His Father, even until his death.)

The cardinal also called on the faithful to ensure that their devotion to the Santo Niño is accompanied by awareness and responsibility toward marginalized communities.

He said these communities include the poor, persons deprived of liberty, the sick, hungry, and the homeless.

“Ipinapaalala sa atin ng Santo Niño na kung may tunay tayong dibosiyon sa Kanya, kailangan din nating maging mulat at responsable sa mga maliliit,” Advincula said.

(The Santo Niño reminded us that if we have true devotion, we must also be aware and responsible for the marginalized communities.)

“Hinahamon din tayo ng Niño Hesus na hanapin at itaguyod ang iba pang maliliit at mahihina sa ating lipunan, sa ating parokya at kapitbahayan,” he added.

(Santo Niño challenges us to find and uplift the lives of the marginalized and the weak in our communities, parishes, and neighborhoods.)

Hundreds of devotees participated in the procession for the Sto. Niño de Pandacan on Sunday morning.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Parochial Vicar Fr. Sigfred Arellano said the construction of a new and bigger church can be considered a miracle.

Instead of discouraging churchgoers, Arellano said the fire incident strengthened their faith, as donations poured in, so they were able to rebuild the church. — RF, GMA Integrated News