This is the 12th year of the celebration of the Santo Nino de Agosto. This year's theme is TO GOD BE THE GLORY. The feast of the Holy Infant Child is observed in January but devotees found also a better idea to unite the many groups of the Sto Nino devotees spread throughout the parishes of Illinois this month.
This year 18 groups of devotees participated. They are Devotees of 1) Zamboanga del Norte (2)St. Lambert of Skokie )3)Divine Mercy of Transfiguration (4)Prayer Group of South Dupage (5)San Lorenzo Ruiz Group (6)St. Matthias Legion of Mary (7)Holy Name Cathedral (8)Sto. Nino of the Midwest (9) Prayer Group of St. Peter, Skokie (10)Couple for Christ (11)Most Holy Innocent Group (12) FACC/Rizal Center (13) Rosary Crusade/Our Lady of Fatima (14) Mother Cabrini Prayer Group (15) Legion Of Mary/Our Lady of Ransom (16) Society of the Beloved Disciple of St. Matthias (17) Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Group (18) Sto Nino del Ciudad de Zamboanga.
On its souvenir program, Luz Ong, the perennial Hermana Mayor (for 12 years) echoed a Thank You to ALL, Friends and Benefactors of the organization, devotees. The Spiritual Director and founder Rev. Leoncio S. Santiago began his message with dry humor written on a tombstone that reads, "It's always something." that the statement applies to death or to life. And he went on to question whether there is a time when "something" will no longer bother us. That he said is yes according to Jesus. That time is the time of glory which is timeless and eternally secured. Any interruption to our joys, to our peace of mind, to our smooth relationship with others is a reminder of the cross, the cross which sits on the top of the globe in the hand of the Santo Nino. They are intimations of God's glory, the only glory that endures, and the glory that we can share if we live in union with God. To God be the glory!
Meanwhile, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, wrote, "Religious celebrations are a time for remembering and giving thanks for God's blessings that come to us through the hands of the child Jesus.
"The Gov. of Illinois, Pat Quinn, said, "The annual celebration is also a great opportunity to show unity and to meet with others of your faith and heritage.
"The Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, said, " Sto. Nino de Agosto has been a great institute of support to innumerable people. This annual event is a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate your unity and religious cultural heritage.
"And lastly, from Consul General, Leo M Herrera-Lim our consulate general of the Philippines in Chicago has this to say,"...This spirituality and selflessness are ideals of our Christian faith and values. Indeed, devotion to faith influence all aspects of the Filipinos' way of life. The Philippines, our homeland, is truly blessed that its people have remained true to the faith. Viva Santo Nino!"
An important addendum, was the presence of Fr. Jerome Moras of Carmel Nivas, Holy Infant Church, Londa- 591 301 Belgium Dist., Karnataka State, India. He has stayed in Prague for 10 years. He is a healing priest.
The festivities were well attended and the procession from around the blocks of St. Matthias Church told the success story.
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