Walk with Mary, Traslacion: Pope’s safety prayed for

CEBU, Philippines -Even though Pope Francis is not setting foot in Cebu for the Sinulog, his safety was among the petitions prayed for in yesterday’s Traslacion and Walk with Mary attended by an estimated 20,000 people.

“Hinaut nga ato usab dugangan og pag-ampo sa safety sa atong Santo Papa nga naa sa nasud karon,” said Mayor Jonas Cortes.

He said he also prayed to the Sto. Niño for peace to continue to reign in the city and that he was likewise thankful for all the grace he received.

During the Traslacion mass, Reverend Father Benjamin Cortes urged the devotees to remain humble and understanding, just like the Holy Child.

“Hinaut unta nga kita magpabiling mapahiubsanon ug masinabtanon sama sa Balaang Bata,” Father Cortes said.

Prior to the Traslacion Mass at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue, an estimated 20,000 devotees braved the cold and the dawn drizzle to take part in the Walk with Mary.

The foot procession with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe started from the archdiocesan shrine in Gudalupe, Cebu City going to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. Marian devotees went along and were joined by others at the Fuente Osmeña.

At the Basilica, the image of Mama Mary joined the Holy Child.

Apparently anticipating a wet procession, the devotees brought umbrellas, jacket, and other rain gears. They include members of a Marian community from Calubian, Leyte whose group of 700 devotees came for the 10th time.

“Our group was formed in 2000. We started joining the Walk with Mary 10 years ago. We were invited by Fr. Tito Soquiño, an Augustinian father from the Basilica. Since then, we have not missed a year,” said Rey Martinez, the group’s lead devotee.

His group brought with them the image of St. Therese of the Child Jesus was brought all the way from Leyte.

During the Walk with Mary Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe archdiocesan shrine parish priest Msgr. Jose Montecillo talked about how human nature is hindering true forgiveness, which should be learned to achieve true healing.

After the Mass as the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center, an estimated 10,000 devotees joined the Traslacion, or the journey of the images of the Holy Child and of the Our Lady of Guadalupe to Mandaue City.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Basilica rector Jonas Mejares turned over the two holy images to Mayor Cortes at around 8 a.m. at the boundary of the two cities on the edge of Subangdaku, Mandaue.

The two holy images arrived at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue city at 9 a.m. after a one-hour motorcade and foot procession.

The two images would be the centerpiece of today’s fluvial procession from Mandaue to Cebu City.

Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge, said that there were no untoward incidents during the Walk with Mary procession and even up to the end of the Traslacion Mass.

“Wala namang problema. Medyo umulan lang,” he said.

He also said the Philippine National Police is ready for the fluvial procession, as he reminded the public not to use firecrackers during the fluvial parade.

Capa said over 800 policemen from the regional headquarters, and Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City police offices were assigned to Cebu City  to augment CCPO’s 1,700 policemen for today and tomorrow’s Sinulog activities.

An additional 4,000 “force multipliers” were also mobilized for security and crowd control, particularly barangay tanods, military reservists, ROTC cadets, and students from different colleges and universities. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento, Jessa J. Agua, Flor Z.Perolina/RHM (FREEMAN)