Filipino community celebrate their patron

By Matthew Biddle

FILIPINOS from around the Archdiocese gathered at St Christopher’s Cathedral on February 7 to celebrate their national feast day, that of the Santo Niño (the Infant Jesus).

During his homily for the occasion, Archbishop Christopher Prowse praised the generosity of the Filipino community and thanked them for their strong faith.

“I’m so happy to have so many Filipino people here today,” he said.

‘I’ve always felt over the years as a priest, wherever Filipino people are in the parishes of Australia, that parish is well served. So I want to thank you, Filipino people. We love you so much.”

Members of the Archdiocese’s Filipino community with Archbishop Christopher Prowse on February 7, after Mass in honour of their national feast day, that of the Santo Nino, or the Infant Jesus. PHOTO: MATTHEW BIDDLE

The Santo Niño is a statue of the Child Jesus venerated by many Filipino Catholics who believe it to be miraculous.

Believed to be the oldest religious image in the Philippines, the statue was originally given as a baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon, the ruler of Cebu, in 1521.

The Santo Niño image is seen in many homes and businesses, and is one of the most beloved and recognisable cultural icons in the Philippines, found in both religious and secular areas.

The Mass was also a special occasion for members of the Archdiocese’s Italian community from the Venezia Giulia region of Italy, who honoured those of their region who died in World War II.