Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday told Cebuanos and Sto. Niño devotees that to be “greatest in heaven” they have to pray like children who are by nature are trusting and truthful.
“Lord make us change that we may become like little children who by nature are truthful and trusting, that is what we have been praying until now,” he said during his Pontifical Mass yesterday.
About 10,000 attended the mass celebrated at the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center at 6 a.m., a few hours before the Sinulog Grand Parade yesterday.
The archbishop also said the faithful should contemplate on the face of Jesus in the Bible and reflect on their mistakes and told the faithful to be reliable and honest in their dealings all the time.
With regards to honesty, the archbishop also said he is hoping for the truth to come out in issues concerning the public, specifically the land swap deal, smuggling, overpricing of lampposts, sex scandals and even the ratings war involving two big television networks.
Before he ended the Mass, the archbishop took time to greet the faithful and offered a prayer for the sick who were in hospitals and imprisoned, even if they are not part of the “dancing inmates.”
Prior to the pontifical mass, a Mañanita Mass was also celebrated at 4 a.m.
Last year, the archbishop said the Sinulog is a form of veneration for the Holy Child and this fact should not be lost on Cebuanos and devotees who, over time, may begin thinking that the Sinulog is nothing but a tourist attraction. — Phoebe Jen Indino/BRP