Teach us, dear Santo Niño, how worthless is the world, how sublime is heaven, how brief is time, how long is eternity. Grant us, lastly, that we may remember you, adore you, love you, and serve you here on earth that we may be happy with you forever and ever in heaven. Amen.
Just outside the entrance to Holy Family Catholic Church’s Parish Hall is a bronze statue of the Child Jesus. He is depicted as a King, dressed like Spanish royalty. If you enter our church’s Cry Room and Adoration Chapel, you will see the same statue. These look very similar to the Infant Jesus of Prague statue from the Czech Republic because both images are believed to have been produced by Flemish artisans, and both images are based on a vision of the 16th century mystic Teresa of Avila. The Roman Catholic title of the statues here at Holy Family is the Santo Niño de Cebú. “Santo Niño” translates to “Holy Child” and “Cebú” is a city in the Philippines. This image is important, in fact venerated as miraculous, by many Filipino Catholics. It is one of the most popular objects of devotion in the Philippines and you will see it in homes as well as businesses there.
History tells us that in 1521, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, in the service of Charles V of Spain, gave the original statue to Rajah Humabon, ruler of Cebú island, and his wife, Hara Humamay. It was one of three gifts Magellan gave them in celebration of their baptism. According to Pigafetta, Magellan's companion and memoir writer, more than 500 men and women were converted by Father Valderrama.
On April 28, 1965, Pope Paul VI issued a papal bull for the Canonical Coronation of the Santo Niño statue and raised the church that houses it to basilica status, marking the 400th anniversary of the first Christian mission.
Today, the original Santo Niño statue ispermanently encased within bulletproof glass in a chapel at the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño. Pilgrims there and devotees here venerate the image by touching or kissing the foot of the image's stand.
History tells us that in 1521, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, in the service of Charles V of Spain, gave the original statue to Rajah Humabon, ruler of Cebú island, and his wife, Hara Humamay. It was one of three gifts Magellan gave them in celebration of their baptism. According to Pigafetta, Magellan's companion and memoir writer, more than 500 men and women were converted by Father Valderrama.
On April 28, 1965, Pope Paul VI issued a papal bull for the Canonical Coronation of the Santo Niño statue and raised the church that houses it to basilica status, marking the 400th anniversary of the first Christian mission.
Today, the original Santo Niño statue ispermanently encased within bulletproof glass in a chapel at the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño. Pilgrims there and devotees here venerate the image by touching or kissing the foot of the image's stand.
History of the Prayer Group
by Daisy McGinnis
Santo Ninyo Prayer Group Leader & Sinolog Organizer
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"My first attendance at Holy Family was September 21, 2002, three days after I arrived from Cebu, Philippines, with my husband Michael. Our children, Michael Jr. (13 years old now) and Matthew (9 years old) grew up in this parish and both were baptized by Father Thomas Cauley. Both of our children are currently active members of our parish as ushers and altar servers. Over our five years here, I got to know Father Tom and Father Rodolfo "Rudy" Osorio very well. Father Rudy was the first Filipino priest at Holy Family, and it meant so much to me and other Filipinos in the area to have someone from 'home' to minister to us.
In 2007 Father Rudy applied for his second retirement from the priesthood. Father Rudy had had a tremendous influence on our faith and our service to Holy Family Catholic Church. He had served our parish for a decent period of time and gained respect and love from Holy Family parishioners and the entire Filipino and non-Filipino community on the Treasure Coast. Father Osorio's presence in the community and at Holy Family Church would be and is greatly missed. In 2008, my family flew to Cebu, Philippines, and visited Father Rudy at his beautiful retirement home in Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines. He allowed us to stay in his home in Cebu City during our stay in the Philippines. This is just the type of generous and kindhearted man he is. Father Tom and Father Rudy were great friends. In late 2009, two years after Father Rudy's retirement, Father Tom had a vision to keep the memory of Father Rudy alive in the community that he loved and that loved him so much in return. My husband and I, along with other couples (particularly Victor and Charie Mendoza and Mellie and Joe Lampa) were tasked to make this vision happen. A two-year plan to raise funds to build the Santo Niño Statue on Holy Family's parish grounds came in place. Miraculously, in August 2010 we were able to raise more than $28,000.00 within 7 months from the official planning date. During the fundraising period, Father Tom, my husband Michael, and other parishioners spent months planning, plotting, and designing the soon-to-be home of the Santo Niño. On January 16, 2011, the Santo Niño Statue was completed and installed in its new home at Holy Family Catholic Church by Bishop Gerald Barbarito during the Second Annual Sinulog Santo Niño Celebration. Despite a variety of challenges, we have continued our devotion to Santo Niño since 2009. Year after year we bring into our parish different Filipino and non-Filipino communities from all over the Treasure Coast. Our intention is pure and is done in His glory! Now, as we celebrate our Seventh Annual "Sinulog, Santo Niño Celebration," it is our prayer and hope to continue Father Cauley's vision for the Santo Niño devotion. The Santo Niño devotion is NOT a ministry; it is a "Symbol of the Filipino Community." That was exactly the vision of Father Thomas Cauley, Jr., in honor of Father Rudy Osorio, who was loved by our community. |
McGinnis Family
Father Rodolfo "Rudy" Osorio
Father Rudy passed away in the Philippines on May 16, 2017. |
"The Santo Niño is for the Treasure Coast community.
It is for Filipinos and non-Filipinos.
It is for Catholics, including non-practicing Catholics.
It is for everyone to help them to pray and to venerate."
It is for Filipinos and non-Filipinos.
It is for Catholics, including non-practicing Catholics.
It is for everyone to help them to pray and to venerate."
My husband and I, along with the Treasure Coast Filipino community and all others who participate in this devotion, welcome you to join us. Please call the Holy Family Catholic Church Parish Office and ask to speak with me, or approach me anytime you see me at church!
Sincerely,
Sincerely,