St. Luke’s Parish in Sydney’s south-west has, for the third consecutive year, hosted a celebration of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu, the Holy Child Jesus, on January 18th, beginning with a 10:00 AM Mass and followed by a fiesta.
A Centuries-Old Tradition Finds a Home in Revesby
The statue of the Holy Child Jesus has become a central point of devotion for the parish, fostering unity among parishioners and introducing a tradition with roots stretching back to 1521 to the Revesby community.
Fr. Dariusz Basiaga SDS, the parish priest, shared that his inspiration for bringing the statue to St. Luke’s stemmed from a 2014 pilgrimage to Cebu. He described being deeply moved by the “energy and devotion” of the community there and wanting to replicate that spirit within his own parish.
The parish now observes the celebration every third Sunday of January, with the image of the Child Jesus serving as a reminder to approach faith with “childlike faith and trust,” according to Fr. Basiaga.
Following a second pilgrimage to Cebu in April 2023, Fr. Basiaga formally established the Señor Santo Niño community at St. Luke’s, uniting Filipino and other parishioners in shared worship.
On January 21, 2024, Bishop Terence Brady blessed and installed the statue during the parish’s inaugural feast day and fiesta. During his homily, Bishop Brady emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, “it is important we take every opportunity to keep our doors open very wide to allow others into our community.” He further expressed the power of experiencing love and the importance of sharing the message of Jesus with others.
What Might Happen Next
The parish could see continued growth in participation in the annual celebration. It is likely that Fr. Basiaga will continue to foster the Señor Santo Niño community, potentially expanding its activities beyond the annual fiesta. The parish may also explore opportunities to share this tradition with other local faith communities, further promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did St. Luke’s Parish begin celebrating Señor Santo Niño de Cebu?
St. Luke’s Parish began celebrating Señor Santo Niño de Cebu for the third year running on January 18th, with the tradition formally established after a statue installation on January 21, 2024.
What inspired Fr. Dariusz Basiaga to bring the statue to the parish?
Fr. Dariusz Basiaga was inspired to bring the statue to the parish after witnessing the celebration of Señor Santo Niño during a pilgrimage to Cebu in January 2014.
What did Bishop Terence Brady say during the statue’s installation?
Bishop Terence Brady said “it is important we take every opportunity to keep our doors open very wide to allow others into our community” and spoke of the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus with others.
How might the integration of traditions like the Señor Santo Niño celebration impact the broader religious landscape of Sydney’s south-west?
