Cebu, Philippines, 16 January 2016 - A week from now the 51st International Eucharistic Congress will happen in Cebu. This quadrennial event which began in 1881 as the fruit of the works of St. Peter Julian Eymard, considered as the Apostle of the Eucharist, will once again be hosted by the Philippines. The first time was in 1937. Thus its hosting is both a blessing and a privilege for Cebu which is the birthplace of Christianity in the country.
Its opening will take place on the Sunday after the biggest annual event of Cebu City, the Feast of the Santo Niño. This feast centers around the devotion of the image of the Holy Child Jesus brought in country by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Though Portuguese, he led a Spanish exploration that brought him to the shores of Cebu. He was able to convince the local chieftain to embrace Christianity. More than two hundred natives were baptized that day. An eloquent reminder of this historic event was the planting of the Cross right at the site where they welcomed Jesus in their lives. The image of the Holy Child was Magellan’s gift to the newly baptized Queen.
Their faith, though, was short-lived. A week later, Magellan died in the neighboring battle of Mactan. The remaining soldiers returned to Spain. But the Hold Child chose to stay in the island as his home forever. The Spaniards returned to Cebu only forty-four years later in 1565. Resisting the invaders, a battle followed. The image was discovered in one of the native huts spared by fire. The Spaniards realized that faith had made roots despite the absence of missionaries. A chapel was built on the spot where the “discovery” (Kaplag in Cebuano) took place not very far from the location of the present Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. Thus the tradition of the Sinulog began.
Today, the main religious activity of the fiesta is the procession along the main thoroughfare of the city which attracts a crowd of a million devotees. While the peak of the cultural event is the Sinulog Grand Parade which gathers a double size of the crowd. Hence the hosting of the 51st IEC in Cebu is symbolic that binds the City’s present to its past.
In a press conference, Archbishop Jose Palma, DD the Archbishop of Cebu is confident that this Congress will surely be “a source of renewal” for Catholics. On his part, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila stressed that the significance of this gathering “goes beyond the Catholic Church.” He points out that there is a crying need for humanity today. “Humanity calls for a gift of loving, forgiving and we hope the celebration of the International Eucharistic Congress may add to the year of mercy.”
In contemplating the smallness and humility of the Holy Child, we rekindle our amazement because He is the source of mercy and compassion.
