Viva Santo Niño!

Feast of the Santo Niño

18 January 2026

 

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

Today, with special permission from the Holy See, we celebrate the feast day of the Santo Niño in various parts of the Philippines, most notably in Cebu and Tondo.

History tells us that the image of the Holy Child Jesus was the first religious image to arrive in the country, marking the beginning of Christianity among Filipinos. But beyond historical accounts, it is the firsthand, life-changing experiences of countless Filipinos that have made this devotion deeply popular and truly special.

Personally, I hold a deep reverence for the Santo Niño. This Holy Child has been present in my life since day one. From growing up in Tondo until the age of five, returning during my college years in 2007, and living there before moving to Bulacan in 2021, Tondo has always been home to me.

Despite the common misconception that Tondo is a rowdy place, I feel at peace there. Perhaps it is because I am assured that the Santo Niño, the true King of Tondo is always present, watching over me, and keeping me from harm.

The Santo Niño de Tondo has witnessed all my firsts: from my first words and school achievements to my first job, first date, and even moments of heartbreak. In every stage, this Holy Child has steadied me, just as He securely holds the world in His hands.

Visiting Cebu twice, seeing the revered image of the Señor, and attending Mass in His church, my devotion to the Santo Niño grew even deeper.

It led me to reflect on how the Holy Child Jesus, the beloved Son of God, humbly subjected Himself and became obedient to Mary and Joseph.

In these modern times, when many take pride in their achievements and possessions and readily display them on social media, the littleness and humility of the Santo Niño remind us not to boast before God. Everything we have comes from Him; thus, the call for us to remain humble, submissive, and obedient to the Father.

May the feast of the Santo Niño keep us grounded in every success and teach us to respect one another, not by position or status, but by the goodness of the heart.

Prayer

Dear Santo Niño, we thank You for all the blessings and graces You have bestowed upon us. May our devotion to You lead us to charity, humility, and peace with our brothers and sisters. Amen.

 

Hope Came Through A Child

   

Feast of the Sto. Nino

19 January 2025

 

First Reading: Is 9:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98

Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6

Gospel: Lk 2:41-52

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

“Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) These are the words of the Child Jesus in response to His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, once He was found by both Mary and Joseph in the Temple of Jerusalem after three days. With these words, the Child Jesus exhibits awareness and knowledge of the mission as the promised Messiah and Savior sent from heaven. 

For the entire Catholic Church in the Philippines, this Sunday is a very special one as it is dedicated to solemn celebration of the Feast of Jesus as the Most Holy Child, also known as the Santo Niño. This special solemn celebration which is held every year on the third Sunday of January is a reminder for all of us about the very reason why the Lord Jesus Christ came into this world. The Lord Jesus Christ wholeheartedly and willingly decided to take upon our humanity, even the stage of childhood, for our sake. The only thing that Jesus did not assume when He took upon Himself our own human nature was the sinful nature of humanity. 

The Readings for this Sunday focus on the mission of the Lord Jesus as the bearer of true hope which comes from heaven. By wholeheartedly deciding to come into this world as the promised Messiah and Savior, He has brought hope to humanity. A prophecy concerning the arrival of the promised Messiah is featured in the First Reading. It is clearly stated in the prophecy featured in the First Reading that God will give us a Child who will be born for all of humanity. This Child is the promised Messiah. Saint Paul the Apostle stresses this fact in the Second Reading. Out of love and mercy for all of us, God has decided to send Christ Jesus to the world to save humanity. 

The Responsorial Psalm says: “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God” (Psalm 98:3c). Through the Holy Child Jesus, God has shown the power of the gift of salvation He brings to all. By doing so, He has given us hope. 

Jesus became a Child to bring hope to us. Let us spread this gift of hope that He brings to all of us. 

Prayer

O Most Holy Child Jesus, You came into this world to bring hope to all of us as the promised Messiah and Savior. We humbly thank You for doing so. Give us the strength to spread the hope that You bring to all of us. Amen.

May Dalang Mabuting Balita

    

Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pagpapahayag ng Magandang Balita tungkol sa Panginoon

08 Abril 2024

 

Unang Pagbasa: Is 7:10-14; 8:10

Salmong Tugunan: 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Heb 10:4-10

Mabuting Balita: Lk 1:26-38

 

Repleksyon

Ni: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

 

Nasa simbahan ako noon at nakikipag-usap sa  isang pari tungkol sa aking Bokasyon. “Father nag-exam po ako sa seminaryo. Pero di po ako sigurado.” “Anak kung di ka pa sigurado, tapusin mo muna ang pag-aaral mo. Third year ka na at ilang taon na lamang ay ga-graduate ka na.” “Opo nga po.” Isa ding pari ang aking nakausap at ganoon din ang sinabi. “Kung sa akin, mas maganda tapusin mo muna ang pag-aaral mo. Tapos magtrabaho ka ng isang taon. Para masubukan mo muna ang labas bago ka pumasok ng seminaryo. Pero kung ano ang tingin mong pagtawag sa iyo, ipagdasal natin.” Nagpapraktis ako noon ng nga sakristan sa simbahan nang may biglang tumawag sa akin. “Hello Emerson, si Father Randy ito. Nakapasa ka sa Seminaryo.” “Ay talaga po. Salamat po” 'yun na lamang ang tanging nasambit ko. Wala na akong ibang nasabi. Nang walang katiyakan, tinanggap ko ang pagpasok sa seminaryo. 

Sa araw na ito, ipinagdiriwang natin ang pagbabalita ni San Gabriel Arkanghel sa Mahal na Birheng Maria ang Misteryo ng Pagkakatawang-tao ng Panginoong Hesukristo. Sa ebanghelyong ating napakinggan, ang Anghel Gabriel ay nagdala ng Mabuting Balita kay Maria. Si Maria ay maglilihi lalang ng Espiritu Santo. Wala siyang katiyakan sa nagaganap. Nagugulumihanan kung ano ang mga nangyayari. Ngunit sa kabila nito, nang malaman ni Maria na mula sa Diyos ang pagbabalitang ito ng Anghel Gabriel, tinanggap pa rin ni niya ang Mabuting Balita, si Hesus na isisilang mula sa kanyang sinapupunan.

Sa ating buhay, may mga iba't ibang balita tayong natatanggap. May masamang balita at mabuting balita. Malungkot kung masamang balita ang ating natatanggap. At iba naman ang saya kapag mabuting balita ang ating natatanggap. Gayundin, iba din naman kung sumasang-ayon sa atin o hindi ang isang balita. Katulad na lamang ng mga pansarili nating mga plano na hindi sumasang-ayon sa atin.

Sa kabila nito, isa lang ang pinakatiyak na Mabuting Balita. Walang iba kundi si Hesus. Si Hesus na buong pusong tinanggap ni Maria at upang kanyang ipagdalang-tao. Sinunod ni Maria ang plano ng Diyos. Isang Mabuting Balita na buong pusong tinanggap nang walang pag-aalinlangan. "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon, maganap nawa sa akin ayon sa wika mo."

Kaya naman tanggapin din natin ang Mabuting Balita. Si Hesus, na patuloy na sumasama, dumadamay, at nagmamahal sa atin. Amen.

Panalangin

Ama naming makapangyarihan, sa pamamagitan ng Anghel Gabriel ay natanggap ni Maria ang Mabuting Balita, si Hesus na Iyong anak at aming Panginoon. Tulungan Mo kaming tanggapin din ang Mabuting Balita na Iyong kaloob sa amin, at maging tagapagbahagi din nito sa iba. Sa ikararangal mo, sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo, kasama ng Espiritu Santo, magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.

Childlike Humility

    

  Feast of the Santo Niño

15 January 2023

 

First Reading: Is 9:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: 96:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6, 15-18

Gospel: Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Balla

 

Despite the angry voice and stern look from his mother, a crying child with outstretched hand is trying to draw closer to his mother. Upon reaching, the child immediately hugged and kissed her mother as if trying to defuse her mother's anger. He stopped crying then and contently laid his head on his mother's shoulder.

I guess this is what "childlike" is. In meekness, reach out to bridge the distance with love, hope, and trust that you will be welcomed and forgiven. Nothing unpleasant in the heart. No retaliation, no inhibitions, no doubts, no sense of entitlement, no expectations. Only the desire to reconcile and draw closer to the people you love. There's humility, childlike humility-pure, honest, simple, spontaneous. It can lead us to inner peace, forgiveness, healing and ultimately, joy.

Happe Feast of SANTO NIÑO!

May this celebration brinf out and affirm the humble "child" in us.

Prayer

DAILY PRAYER TO SANTO NIÑO

(HOLY CHILD JESUS)

Taken from: catholicsstrivingforholiness.org

Holy Child Jesus, You shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs.

Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of Your divine grace; upon all those who, sticken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help.

Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O littke King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your love! Amen.