FOR the second time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the masses for the 457th Fiesta Señor in Cebu will be held virtually on January 7 to 16, 2022.
This decision was announced by the officials of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Thursday, November 4, 2021, after it was agreed upon by the clergy of the Basilica, the Cebu City Government and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
There will be 10 online masses that the devotees can join. These masses, both in English and Cebuano, will be streamed online through the Basilica’s Facebook page, YouTube account and its media partners.
The Basilica will remain open from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. so that the public can light candles, and offer prayers and flowers.
Fr. John Ion Marinda, OSA of the Cluster 4: Safety, Security, Peace and Order, asked the devotees for their understanding as the safety and security of the people are top priority as of this time.
The clergy of the Basilica also announced that there will be no other religious activities to be held except for a motorcade during the opening salvo on January 7, 2022, for the Penitential Walk with Jesus, the Visperas motorcade in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, and the solemn foot procession in Cordova.
Only five vehicles will be allowed to convoy during the motorcade, which will be led by the police.
The EOC and the Committee on Public Safety and Order adopted these guidelines for their planning for the Fiesta Señor in 2022.
EOC deputy chief implementer City Councilor Joel Garganera said the low Covid-19 immunization rate in Cebu is also one of the reasons that the EOC agreed to such guidelines even though the Fiesta Señor is one of the biggest religious events in the country. (HBL / CCP)