240T devotees join ‘Walk with Jesus’ as Fiesta Señor gets going

Local

LONG before dawn broke on Thursday, Jan. 8, Cebu City’s streets became rivers of faith, as more than 240,000 devotees marched in the annual “Walk with Jesus” in a powerful display of resilience and devotion.

The foot procession marked the opening of Fiesta Señor 2026 celebrations.

Authorities said the turnout reflected how deeply recent calamities, including the September 30 6.9-magnitude earthquake and the widespread impact of Typhoon Tino in November, have driven many to seek comfort and unity in faith.

From Fuente Osmeña Circle, the faithful walked along Osmeña Boulevard toward the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, praying and singing in unison.

Lt. Col. Jose B. Losbaños, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office, said the crowd remained orderly and manageable despite its size.

“Peaceful ra gyud and very manageable ang crowd,” he told reporters.

Losbaños added that the figure of 240,000 reflects those who joined the Walk with Jesus specifically early Thursday morning, but he estimated the number could swell to around 300,000 as more devotees arrive throughout the day and attend scheduled novena Masses.

Attendance has climbed compared with previous years.

Records show that about 160,000 devotees joined the Walk with Jesus in 2025, which was already lower than the 200,000 recorded in 2024.

The police official noted that this year’s turnout was larger, attributing the surge to recent calamities that have challenged and strengthened the faith of Cebuanos.

Authorities reported no major incidents during the early-morning procession.

On Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Jules Van Almerez, media liaison of the basilica, said organizers now expect at least 800,000 devotees on the first day of Fiesta Señor this year, with up to 1 million over the course of the celebrations.

He said these figures include all scheduled novena Masses, which begin hourly starting with the Opening Salvo Mass.

After the penitential walk, Rev. Fr. Danilo Carido, OSA, vice-rector of the basilica, presided over the Opening Salvo Mass, which started at 5 a.m., and delivered a homily that emphasized unity and faith.

“We need to be one, one community of believers marching onwards to one faith,” he said. Fr. Carido explained that this year’s fiesta theme, “In Sto. Niño, we are one,” was inspired by the papal motto “In illo uno unum” — “In the one Christ, we are one.”

The motto comes from Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian pope, whose deep ties to the Order of Saint Augustine resonate strongly with Cebu’s own Augustinian heritage.

Before his election in May 2025, then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, visited Cebu several times, celebrated Mass at the basilica’s pilgrim center in 2012, and blessed Augustinian communities in the region.

His motto reflects the enduring Augustinian belief in unity in Christ — a message that this year’s celebrations have amplified.

Many devotees said their participation was both a personal and communal act of thanksgiving and hope.

Sisters Roxam Trogon and Roxwen De Los Santos, along with their family from Barangay Suba, said attending the Opening Salvo Mass has become an annual tradition.

“It’s our tradition every fiesta, every Opening Salvo nga kami tanan pamilya magkuyog gyud mi,” Roxam said.

“I think all of us naa gyud tay mga intentions and luckily kami among gipangayo ni Señor Santo Niño nahatag gyud tanan," Roxwen added.

Meanwhile, 63-year-old Nanay Nympha Sereno said she was unable to join the Walk with Jesus but was grateful to attend the Opening Salvo Mass while waiting for the Sto. Niño image to arrive at the basilica.

She expressed hope that younger generations would continue the devotion to the Holy Child.

Fiesta Señor activities continue through the coming week, including the fiesta triduum from Jan. 16 to 18.

On Jan. 17, the Traslacion of the Sto. Niño image will precede the fluvial procession along the Mactan Channel.

The celebration culminates on Jan. 18, the feast day of the Sto. Niño, with Cebu Archbishop Alberto S. Uy presiding over the early morning Mass at the basilica.(MyTVCebu)