Santo Niño Festival offers prayers of healing and hope

By Heather Excell

The Santo Niño Festival drew around 200 people to the Bridgewater parish on Sunday 18 January, as the community gathered in prayer to celebrate a centuries-old Filipino Catholic tradition.

The festival marks the origins of the Catholic faith in the Philippines, dating back to 1521 when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu. Magellan gifted a statue of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) to local leader Rajah Humabon and his wife. Along with their subjects, the couple became the first known Christian converts in the Philippines. Since that time, devotion to the Santo Niño has continued to grow and remains a central expression of Filipino Catholic life.

Parish Priest of the Bridgewater–Brighton Parish, Fr Leo Zenarosa, said the festival has been celebrated locally for more than ten years, with the structure of the Mass and procession reflecting the tradition as it is practised in the Philippines.

The Mass begins and concludes with a short procession of the Santo Niño statues, accompanied by the Sinulog, a traditional Filipino prayer dance offered in honour of the Child Jesus.

Meaning “current of the water,” the Sinulog reflects the highs and lows of life, inviting those present to offer every joy and struggle to God.

Fr Leo explained that the movement is not intended as a performance, but as prayer.

“Like King David dancing before the Lord, it is an offering of praise and prayer,” he said. “We ask the blessing of healing in the community, blessing in Bridgewater and deliverance from evil attacks.”

Among those present this year was parishioner Norie Griffiths, who led the procession in praise and thanksgiving to the Child Jesus for healing she experienced after being diagnosed with liver cancer two years earlier. For Norie, the festival became an expression of gratitude.

“I gave myself to God, I went to confession, I received the anointing of the sick, and the community prayed for me. I placed everything in His hands,” she said. “I am free from cancer and in remission now, that is why I continue coming, praying, and giving thanks to God.”

Norie’s testimony echoed the prayers offered throughout the celebration for healing and deliverance, particularly for those carrying heavy burdens.

“It is God who heals,” Fr Leo said. “We can come and approach Jesus anytime as long as we humble ourselves to him. A humble heart opens itself to God’s grace.”

The community concluded the celebration by sharing in a parish lunch. For those present, the festival was an opportunity to come together in prayerful joy and renew their trust in God’s mercy.