The parish priest of the Santo Niño de Pandacan Parish in Manila has called on the faithful to strengthen and deepen their devotion to the Child Jesus as a sign of trust and in gratitude for God’s enormous love for mankind.
Fr. Andy Ortega Lim said devotion to the Sto. Nino is an expression of gratitude for all the blessings received and a way of strengthening our faith in God.
“Let us continue to deepen our devotion to our revered Santo Nino here in Pandacan. It is an expression of gratitude for the blessings that we continue to receive. It also helps to strengthen our spiritual life,” Fr. Lim said over Radio Veritas.
Devotees observe the feast of the Santo Nino Sunday, Jan. 21. After a three year break because of the pandemic, street dancing, grand parades and processions and colorful festivals will once again be celebrated in many parts of the country.
Masses will also be celebrated by the hour in parishes placed under the patronage of the Holy Child. In the country, the month of January is traditionally observed as the Month of the Child Jesus with the third Sunday marked as the feast of the Santo Nino.
Fr. Lim said he is praying for the petitions of devotees who visit the Sto. Nino Parish in Pandacan.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula recently led a holy mass in the parish followed by a procession and enthronement rites for the image of the Holy Child.
Meanwhile, the parish priest continues to appeal for help for the reconstruction of the church which was gutted by fire in 2020.
“We continue to appeal for assistance for the reconstruction of our church for the parishioners and devotees to have a new home, a new church and for our revered Santo Nino to have a new sanctuary,” the priest said.
The Sto. Nino de Pandacan Parish was gutted by fire that reached third alarm on July 10, 2020 due to faulty electrical wiring. The 400 year old image of the Santo Nino was not spared. The new image at the church was a donation from the Manila Cathedral in 2021.
Those who are interested to help may call 02-8563-3211 or visit their official facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stoninodepandacanparish for details.