Thousands of Sto. Niño devotees join 'Walk with Mary' in Cebu

Thousands of devotees of the Santo Niño de Cebu joined on Friday the early morning foot procession dubbed "Walk with Mary."

A report on "Unang Balita" said the activity is part of the events leading to the Traslacion of the image of the historic Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) for Cebu patron's 454th feast day on January 19, 2019, Saturday.

Based on the Sinulog program, the Walk with Mary was set at 3:30 a.m. and devotees on Friday, unmindful of the chilling early morning breeze, flocked to the Fuente Osmeña Circle for the religious event.

From Fuente, devotees walked barefoot going to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, a kilometer away from the circle.

Children were also seen joining the procession, with some of them donning the Sto. Niño attire.

For children, joining the procession has become a yearly tradition as they pray for good health.

Devotees pray the rosary as they walk to the basilica to join the Mass, which later report said was officiated by Fr. Manuel P. Tan, the rector of the basilica.

After the Mass, a motorcade will be held to bring the Santo Niño to the Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City for the overnight vigil.

On Saturday, the Santo Niño image will be brought back to Cebu City through a fluvial procession along the Mactan Channel. A 7-kilometer foot procession will then be held in the afternoon. —LBG, GMA News