03 February 2014 - Various celebrations by Filipinos marked the feast of Sto. Niño in Milan.
On January 11, the Filipino Catholic community of Sto. Niño de Cebu held its 20th Anniversary at the Sta. Maria di Carravaggio Church in Via Borromini. A Holy Mass was officiated by Father Alessandro Vavassori, chaplain of the Sto. Niño community, followed by a variety show with members of the community as performers.
The Sto. Niño community continued their celebration on January 19 with a procession, amidst the heavy rain, complete with marching band and dances honoring Pit Senyor, around the vicinity of the Chiesa Santa Maria Consolazione Largo Church in Cairoli 1, Milano. Filipinos, Italian and tourists watched the procession with interest and enthusiasm.
Another Sto. Nino celebration was held on January 26 at the Sta. Maria del Carmine Church, this time headed by the Filipino community of Sta. Maria del Carmine Parish Church. Father Gaetano Parolini officiated at the Holy Mass, reminding everyone in his homily that Filipinos should be proud of their faith and values which they carry all over the world.
The feast of Sto. Niño reminded the Filipino devotees to be childlike in their ways in order to be closer to God and to His great gift to mankind, Jesus Christ. At the end of the Mass, Fr. Parolini called on Consul General Lourdes S. Tabamo to greet the attendees. She thanked Fr. Parolini and his associate, Fr. Prinky, for their untiring devotion to administer the spiritual needs of Filipinos. She also commended the Filipino communities for organizing the Sto. Niño celebrations and for their continued cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Milan. END