Residents at the Operation Second Chance, a facility for youth offenders in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, wave their hands in veneration to the visiting pilgrim image of Señor Sto. Niño.
Tears flow as detainees of Cebu City Second Chance Center and City Jail paid reverence to the visiting pilgrim image of the ‘miraculous’ Señor Sto. Niño yesterday.
Less than two weeks before Sinulog, adults and minors who are accused of committing crimes were teary-eyed as they welcome the Child Jesus in their respective jail facilities.
“Mahay kaayo ko sa akong gibuhat. Dako kaayo’g tabang ang pagbisita ni Señor Sto. Niño karun kay gaan ako kasing-kasing. Sukad nasud ko diri, sige nasad ko’g attend sa misa diri matag Domingo kay daghan kog makat-onan labina sa paghinulsol sa ako mga sala,” said Lamin (real name withheld), 16, and eldest of five sibling, who was caught peddling drugs in Barangay Pasil last July 2017. (I regret what I have done. I am happy that Señor Sto. Niño visited us. Ever since I was committed here, I have been attending Sunday Masses as I learn a lot and it makes me repent my sins.)
In a Mass he celebrated, Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nuhara Jr., rector of Basilica del Sto. Niño Church, reminded the minor detainees of God’s mercy and love to sinners.
“Kini naghatag og paglaom sa kabataan sa presensya ni Sto. Niño sa ilang mga kinabuhi. Bisan unsa kita ka makasasala, apan iya gugma dili gyud mahanaw . . . Gani mao ni iya gipaambit diri karun,” Nuhara Jr. said. (The presence of Sto. Niño gives you hope. Anybody can commit mistakes but his love will always be there and he is sharing it now.)
Lamin, an aspiring teacher, said she committed crime because of poverty.
She is now a Grade 8 student under the Advance Learning System (ALS).
Asked for her prayer to the saint, she said she is praying for her immediate release as well as that of her mother and grandmother who are also in jail since last year for selling illegal drugs.
The image of Sto. Niño was then brought to the female dormitory where it was warmly welcomed by women holding their small personal image of the saint.
Lai (real name withheld), 39, who has been detained for more than two years for illegal recruitment, said she is blessed to have been visited by the miraculous saint on her birthday.
“Overwhelming kaayo sa feeling kay kung wala man gani koy bisita sa amoa . . . ang nibisita nako karun kay labaw paman sa pamilya,” Lai told reporters with her tears flowing with gratitude. (I am overwhelmed even if I don’t have visitors (on my birthday) because the Holy Child is here.)
Both juvenile and female inmates offered a short thanksgiving dance to the image of the Child Jesus.
In its last stop, the image of Sr. Sto. Niño was welcomed with applauses and a thanksgiving dance prepared by the male inmates followed by a Holy Mass.
BJMP officers and families offered an overnight vigil and veneration and cell visit will start at 6 a.m. today.
According to deputy mayor for peace and order, City Councilor Dave Tumulak, the annual visitation of the Child Jesus’image to the city’s rehabilitation and jail facilities is one way for detainees to strengthen their spiritual faith.