Sto. Niño Newsletter

A total of 1,279 beneficiaries received medical health checkup and medical assistance and operation in the 1st BMSN Grand Medical Health Check called as “Halad ni Niño alang Kaninyo”.

The grand health check was held at the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center Grounds, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu. Beneficiaries were able to access various medical assistance such as Operation Tuli, Minor Surgical Procedures, Breast Screening, Digital Rectal Exam, Pediatric Consultation, Dental Check and Extraction, Eye Checks, Hearing Check, Mental Health Check, Medical Check-up with Free Blood Sugar Check, Pap

Cebuanos Receive Health Check Smear, Free Legal Assistance, Free Hair Cut, Free Reflexology Services, Feeding for the Kids, Scoliosis Screening, Play Therapy for kids with disabilities.

The Augustinian Fathers of the Basilica is thankful to all benefactors / sponsors, and volunteers for making the historical event suc-

cessful namely Operating Room Nurses Association in the Phils (ORNAP)-Cebu Chapter, Rotary-Cebu, BMSN #OSACARES Medical Team.

Relic of St. Augustine visits Basilica

Angat Kabataan Peace Camp 2018

On May 26-27, 2018, a major relic “ex ossibus” (from the bones) of Saint Augustine of Hippo paid a pilgrim visit to Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu.

The Angat Kabataan Camp 2018 which was attended by young people coming from the different parts of the country is a testament of the Filipinos’ desire to achieve change.

This effort was made possible by a larger Pilgrim Visit by the Order of Discalced Augustinians’ Postulator General, the Rev. Fr. Dennis Ruiz, OAD based in Rome, Italy.

(A Delegate’s Tale)

The pilgrimage dubbed as “The First Philippine Visit of the OAD Pilgrim Relic of Saint Augustine” started in the middle of May and will last until June this year which will be passing places in Cebu, Batanes, Metro Manila, Pampanga, Leyte and Agusan among others.

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In just a short span of 4 days teens aging 16 and above got to meet different people that allowed them to discern the true importance of intercultural and interreligious harmony, the great value of friendship,

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Relic of St. Augustine visits Basilica

Angat Kabataan Peace Camp 2018 (A Delegate’s Tale)

and most especially the realization of their capabilities in bringing forth civil peace.

The said life-changing activity, which was made possible through and by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), took camp at the Santo Nino Spirituality Center, Tolotolo, Consolacion,

The Augustinian Friars of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu especially in the Basilica del Sto. Niño were very grateful in welcoming the relic of the Holy Father Augustine last May 26, 4:00 pm.

Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony A. Reyes, OSA, Museum Director and Secretary of the Augustinian Community of the Basilica, welcomed on behalf of the Prior and Rector, Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara, Jr., OSA. The relic was exposed at the Pilgrim Center for all to venerate and after which, the Eucharist was offered at 5:30 pm

by Fr. Reyes with Fr. Dennis Ruiz, OAD and Fr. Noel Cogasa and Fr. Cyril Tagalog, OSA. After the Mass, a Solemn Procession of transfer to the Basilica Church took place where a Vigil and veneration were held until 10:00 in the evening.

The veneration continued the next day with a Solemn High Mass offered at 11:30 am and officially sent off at 1:00 pm.

The visit was a significant affirmation of the historical val-

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people but through their differences.

The informative and enjoyable youth camp for peace was undeniably a success.

Filipino youths coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came to the camp with the hope of peace, bearing with them different stories and

ue and connectivity of the Basilica to Saint Augustine.

Though less known because of the popular devotion to the Sto. Niño de Cebu, the Church where the sacred icon of the Holy Child is enshrined, was originally known as Iglesia de San Agustin (Church of Saint Augustine) from the olden Spanish times until recently it was declared a Basilica Minore in 1965.

As the first religious house of the friars of the Order of Saint Augustine, the first religious Order to evangelize the Philippines, it was fitting that the first Augustinians honored their Holy Father by dedicating the Church to the titular of Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Though archival records show that the Convent (the religious residence of the friars) was better known as “Convento del Sto. Niño” which directly connecting the convent (and hence the Church) to the Sto. Niño as if it is its official name.

Nonetheless, Saint Augustine of Hippo continues to be venerated as well in the Basilica.

(RAR)

Cebu.

Throughout the 4-day camp the young people were lessoned to the different instances of misunderstandings all over the country and how it came to be.

In addition to that, they also learned the culture and essence of peace and how to realize it and relive it in their community.

Aside from this, the young generation of Filipinos got to engage in intercultural and interreligious dialogues among their co-participants allowing them to fully understand that peace could not be found in a single commonality among

anecdotes of the land where they came from, it’s struggles, successes, and traits that they are amazingly proud of.

They enjoyed, learned and immersed themselves with other regions’ culture along the way, and when all of it was over they are going home empowered and informed, taking with them new found knowledge, life-long friendship and most especially the chance to attain peace.

Thank you to all the people who made Angat Kabataan Camp 2018 possible, the learning that you have imparted on the Filipino youth will forever be relived.

Social Work Internship at BMSN Foundation In order to provide opportunity as well as to gain valuable and practical experiences, the Basilica opened its doors for an internship program in the field of social work.

The interns, Sister Maripil Legaspi, MC and Sister Jasmin Olbes, MC, are both taking up the degree in Social Work at St. Theresa’s College.

They started last August 2017 wherein they immersed themselves to the different families living around the vicinity of the Basilica and their primary task was on community organizing through conducting surveys particularly knowing the actual situations of the families.

The success of the collaboration was made possible through the partnership of the Basilica Children’s Welfare Foundation Inc. (BSNCWF) and the Sto. Niño- Augustinian Development Foundation Inc. (SNAF).

SNAF is spearheading the project called “Santo Niño de Cebu Internship Program” wherein different schools both local and international are being invited.

The Augustinian friars are hoping that the data gathered by the interns will be of help in order to find better ways in helping the less-fortunate families living within the vicinity of the Basilica.

7 Housing Units Complete First Phase of Balay-Bao Project The Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation Inc. (SNAF) announced the completion of the first seven units of the Balay-Bao housing project which were given to typhoon Yolanda survivors in Kinatarcan Island.

In collaboration with HoMe Architects, a Cebu-based architectural firm, Balay-Bao is designed by the Philippine Augustinians for its disaster-prone Mission Territories like Kinatarcan Island, and as its contribution to the country’s post-Yolanda “build back better” paradigm, particularly in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

Self-sufficient and resilient,

Balay-Bao provides indoor “life corners” against strong winds and earthquakes.

Protection does not sacrifice comfort as Balay-Bao taps local materials and technology to keep the interior cool even El Niño-scorched Kinatarcan Island.

Its defining feature, however, is its canopy that makes the entire structure impervious to the elements much like the self-effacing turtle.

In its structural design, Balay-Bao encapsulates the Augustinian advocacy on justice and peace.

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Pupils from Two Remote Schools in Danao receives Educational Supplies On Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 2018, 145 pupils from Bernardo Enriquez Elementary School and Sibacan Elementary School in Danao City were given school supplies as part of the seasonal socio-pastoral activity of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

Among those present were the volunteers from the Basilica Media Center and Cofradia del Sto. Niño.

The group traveled 49 kilometers from Cebu City to Bernardo Enriquez Elementary School, Danao City and was welcomed by the school head Mrs. Cheryl along with two other teachers and the children of Bernado Enriquez School.

A short program was held for the children which was headed by the BMSN Media Center Volunteers.

The two schools were chosen as recipients of the school supplies after the BMSN Media Center team conducted a documentary project on the life of Ms. Marivel Villanueva, who was a former scholar of the BMSN Children’s Welfare Foundation, Inc. The Augustinian community would like to thank all the sponsors / benefactors who wholeheartedly gave their support in order to make the activity successful.

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Youth from Kinatarcan, Youth for Kinatarcan More than seventy youth were gathered for a youth encounter held at Kinatarcan Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu last May 26 this year.

Meanwhile, outdoor teambuilding activities were also conducted to further expand the knowledge of the youth as well as to bond them together.

With the theme, “Jumpstart to being a Servant Leader,” the participants had a fun-filled and fruitful day of activities and formations.

Rev. Fr. Aladdin Luzon, OSA said that it has been their plan to organize and form a group of young people in and for Kinatarcan island.

The topics during the plenary sessions were about The

Youth volunteers from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

Culmination of Flores de Mayo in Kinatarcan

On its third year, the children of the island of Kinatarcan are gathered together in one location for the culmination of the Flores de Mayo.

From the thirteen chapels of the island, around four hundred elementary and high school students joined the month-long dedication to the Blessed Mother Mary.

Faith of the Youth Today and The Youth as a Catalyst of Change.

“As youth, you need to make Mary as your model and have ver values.” Rev. Fr. Genesis P. Labana, OSA highlighted during his talk.

de Cebu (BMSN)- Media Center were the facilitators at the same time the production team of the youth encounter.

The activity ended with a group akbay wherein some of the youth as well as the facilitators shared their learnings and insights.

The culmination happened on the day of the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, May 27 this year.

It commenced with a mass which was presided by Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara, Jr., OSA, rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu (BMSN), and concelebrated by three Augustinian friars.

After the mass, a short program was organized by the BMSN Media Center Youth Volunteers that provided fun and excitement to the children through games and presentations.

With only skylab as the means of transportation, some were fetched by a private multicab while other children walked under the heat just to come to the event held at the chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Barangay Langub.

The school supplies came all the way from Cebu City through the generous benefactors of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

The Basilica is the pastoral administrator of the island since 2016 after it was given by the Provincialate community.

Some lay volunteers, who are also affiliated to the different mandated organizations of the Basilica, were also present in the success of the culmination and helped in the distribution of school supplies.

The Augustinian friars are thankful to all generous benefactors for making the event successful.

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