January devoted to Holy Child

Devotees of the Child Jesus, more popularly venerated as the Santo Niño, observe the month of January as the month of the Holy Child, in honor of the Child Jesus, whose image has become a familiar fixture in the homes of many Catholics in the country.

Festivities, town fiestas, elaborate processions, and other commemorative rites are traditionally held in many parts of the country at this time of the year, particularly on the third Sunday of January which, by tradition, is celebrated as the Feast of the Santo Niño.

In 2014, the feast of the Holy Child was particularly memorable as it coincided with Pope Francis’ farewell mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila.

Devotion to the Child Jesus is widespread and popular among Filipino Catholics who keep an image of the Holy Child in their altars at home. As the revered patron of children, parents invoke the intercession of the Santo Niño to keep watch over their children as well as to guide them in bringing them up.

Church officials said, “The image of the Child Jesus with a king’s crown synthesizes the Kingship and the Childhood of Christ. The small globe on His hand symbolizes that Christ is the King of the Universe who became a little child.” The Church encourages the faithful to “trust in the loving and powerful intercession of the Holy Child Jesus and to raise up all children to God and ask the Lord to enfold them in His love and protection.”