Congregants process to the altar with statues of the Holy Child Jesus during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, Jan. 21. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
The annual feast honoring Santo Niño called “Sinulog” is celebrated on the third Sunday in January in the Philippines. It is a special day for Filipino Catholics and includes a religious image of the Christ child widely venerated as miraculous.
The Mass included music from the Filipino choir, which was led for more than 30 years by local parishioner Norma Abrenica.
The bishop-designate said he hopes to continue his monthly commitment in Wilmington.
Congregants process to the altar with statues of the Holy Child Jesus during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, Jan. 21. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
Congregants process to the altar with statues of the Holy Child Jesus during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
The statues of the Holy Child Jesus are placed on the altar during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
Congregants process to the altar with statues of the Holy Child Jesus during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
Congregants process to the altar with statues of the Holy Child Jesus during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
Norma Abrenica choir director and pianist plays piano during the English-Filipino Bilingual Mass to celebrate Santo Niño at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. Dialog photo/Don Blake
Bishop-designate Efren Esmilla, a priest from Nagcarlan, Laguna from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia receives the gifts during the English-Filipino Monthly Bilingual Mass at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024.
Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago.
Dialog photo/Don Blake
Bishop-designate Efren Esmilla, a priest from Nagcarlan, Laguna of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia delivers his homily during the English-Filipino Monthly Bilingual Mass at St. Elizabeth Church, Sunday, January 21, 2024.
Santo Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago.
Dialog photo/Don Blake
