Iconic Basilica de la Sagrada Familia Welcomes Historic Return of Santo Niño de Cebu
Turnover of the replica of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu to the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia officials on the night of 04 December. (Barcelona PCG photos)
BARCELONA, 09 December 2021 – The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona spearheaded the presentation of the Santo Niño de Cebu during an International Mass at the iconic Sagrada Familia on 05 December 2021.
The international mass was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Spain, His Excellency Bernardito Cleopas Auza, a native of Bohol, with His Eminence Cardinal José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona. Co-celebrants for the mass included Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Fr. Brian Brogoli of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Fr. Ericson Borre of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, and Fr. Francis de Guzman, Rector of the San Agustin Church in Barcelona from the Philippine side, and Fr. Josep Maria Turull, Rector of the Basilica Sagrada Familia, and two other Catalan priests, from the Spanish side.
In his homily, Archbishop Auza said that the Holy Image has always been part of Philippine Catholicism in the last 500 years, and also referred to the Santo Niño as a migrant because he goes wherever overseas Filipinos go, especially in Barcelona, where he has now found a home.
Prayers of the Faithful were recited by members of the Filipino community representing the professional, youth and the migrant workers sectors. Senior officials of the Philippine delegation, headed by Dr. Rene Escalante, Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, presented Philippine emblematic products as part of the offertory. The Holy Host and Wine were offered by Ambassador and Mrs. Phillip Lhuillier and Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro and NHCP Deputy Executive Director Alvin Alcid, respectively.
Coro Kudyapi, a choir composed of second and third generation Filipinos in Barcelona sang the hymns during the mass.
Ambassador Lhuillier, in his closing message, said that it is an honor for him, as a Cebuano and a Filipino, to be part of the historical event, which is made more significant as it comes on the heels of the inauguration of Sagrada Familia’s Tower of the Virgin Mary on 08 December. For her part, Consul General Lazaro extended her appreciation to all those who helped PCG Barcelona realize the success of the event.
The event was covered by the Radio Television Malacañang and the Press Office of the Nunciatura Apostólica en España.
The historic return of the Santo Niño de Cebu is the highlight of PCG Barcelona’s cultural diplomacy program for this year and is part of its 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations. END
Procession of the replica of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu before the start of the International Mass. (Barcelona PCG photos)
International Mass celebrated by Apostolic Nuncio to Spain H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza with His Eminence Cardinal José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona. Co-celebrants for the mass included Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Fr. Brian Brogoli of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Fr. Ericson Borre of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, and Fr. Francis de Guzman, Rector of the San Agustin Church in Barcelona from the Philippine side, and Fr. Josep Maria Turull, Rector of the Basilica Sagrada Familia. (Barcelona PCG photos)
The Santo Niño de Cebu being carried out of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia after the presentation ceremony. (Barcelona PCG photo)
Apostolic Nuncio to Spain H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza with His Eminence Cardinal José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, H.E. Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier and Madam, Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro, Sagrada Familia Rector Josep Maria Turull and members of the Philippine delegation and clergy. (Barcelona PCG photos)