Filipinos in Germany Celebrate Sto. Niño amid Lock Down Extension 

We Filipinos express and demonstrate our faith in God through our many culturally rich traditions, feasts, and devotions. Inside our churches are different images and statues. Not ony statues of Jesus and Mary are present, but also of our favourite saints. This is how we live and practice our faith as Filipinos.

One of the great feasts at the beginning of new year that all Filipinos celebrate with joyful festivities including those living and working abroad is the Feast of Sto. Niño. In Germany, it has been a tradition to celebrate the feast with the Sinulog Festival. But this year´s celebration is without festivities and social elements due to the strict health protocols under the hard lockdown.

The feast of Sto. Niño has a special meaning in the Philippines because of the historical background of the coming of the Christian faith in our country. The image of Sto. Nino is the oldest religious image or statue in the Philippines. In fact, one of the first Churches (in Cebu) built in the Philippines was built in honor of the image of the Holy Infant Jesus. That is why this feast is dear and close to our hearts. It is interesting to note that the Church in the Philippines will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of the Philippines by the Spanish missionaries from Europe. The Philippines was once a recipient of the Church’s mission. Today, it is an active contributor to mission through the numerous Filipino Catholic priests, religious, and lay people who are already missionaries around the world. The pastoral care of Filipino migrants through faithful accompaniment must help them understand their vocation to be witnesses and missionaries of the joy of the Gospel. They are not only recipients of the Church’s care, but also active collaborators in its mission.