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.

 

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.

Why Obedient?

Sto. Nino January 17, 2016
First reading Isaiah 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God- Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. He will rule as David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Psalm                                                                            Psalm 98: 1-3,3-4,5-6                        
Second reading                                                          Ephesians 1: 3-6; 15-18 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and with- out blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to
himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

Gospel                                                                        Luke 2:41-52

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
  Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.

Reflection

By Anabelle Payod-Balla

Jesus was already at His Father's house and yet He still went with Joseph and Mary to live with them. He is the Son of God and yet He submitted Himself and was obedient to them. Why?

When I was a child, there were many times when I disobeyed my parents. I thought I know better and I did what makes me happy though I have an idea what might be the possible consequences. And yes, I suffered some of those consequences.

Now that I am a parent, I have been exploring different ways to get my children to obey me. It is not an easy job at all despite the good intentions. Especially if you are asking them to do something that will prevent them from doing what they like. Sometimes it is easier to just let them do what they want and let them suffer the consequences so they learn. But only for those circumstances where the lessons are greater than the risks.

What I find helpful in getting my kids to obey me is when I clearly state my intentions, discuss what's in it for them and what happens if they don't do the things they need to do. And then allow them to make the choice. It seems that giving them the knowledge and allowing them to understand the situations can help in having their agreement and their obedience.

Jesus, our Santo Niño, is a role model of humble obedience just like His parents, Joseph and Mary.  He knows why they look after Him and understands what He needs to do. He obeyed and submitted to the Father's will including the kind of death that He needs to suffer, for the salvation of all.

Viva Santo Niño!!!

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of understanding and obedience. Give us the grace to discern Your will for us and grant us the courage to submit to it. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Viva Santo Niño!

“ God, the Creator of all things, is so full of mercy and compassion that whatever may be the grace for which we stretch out our hands, we shall not fail to receive it.” - St Bernard

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3B-10, 19

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.” Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you, “ Eli said. “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep. Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am, “ he said. “You called me.” But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”

At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet. The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

Responsorial Psalm: PS 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

Second Reading: 1 Cor 6:13C-15A, 17-20

Brothers and sisters:

The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body; God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him. Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —, “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

Reflection
By Nicola S. Albano

The Gospel message today is a continuation of the Gospel message last week.“This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.””

By saying this, St. John the Baptist humbled himself in the lowest position during that time. God is calling us to be humble. Even Jesus, the King of Kings, came from a very humble family. He was born in a manger.

Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God? In Biblical times, people would offer a lamb as a sacrifice at the temple. Symbolically, God sacrificed Jesus in order for us to be redeemed from our sins.   

Today, we also celebrate the Feast of the Santo Niño. The belief of the Santo Niño instituted the Christian faith in the Philippines. Today we celebrate the 450th year of the finding of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu [1565-2015], the 450 years of Presence of the Augustinians in the Philippines [1565-2015], and the 50th Anniversary of the Santo Niño Church as a basilica minore [1965-2015).

I have been blessed to do a pilgrimage to the Church of Our Lady Victorious (Panny Marie Vitezne) in Prague for my birthday in 2011. It has a small statue of Santo Niño de Praga. The Santo Niño receives clothing from believers all over the world. Santo Niño came to Prague from Spain sometime after 1555 as a wedding gift for one of the Spanish princesses who married a prominent Czech nobleman Vratislav of Pernstejn. The miraculous image of the vulnerable infant traveling through dangerous paths and overcoming adversities was very powerful in Prague as well as in the Philippines and the rest of the world.

Prayer

Father, may our devotion to Santo Niño brings us closer to You. Like a child, may we trust You completely and look at the world with wonder and joyfully receive the tons of blessings You make available for all of us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.