Filipino Catholics from across South Jersey gathered at Blackwood’s Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish on Sunday, Jan. 13 for the feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu, the Infant Jesus. In 1521, tradition holds that a statue of the Santo Nino was given to Queen Juana of Cebu as a baptismal gift by explorer Ferdinand Magellan as a sign of the queen’s entrance into the Catholic faith and her people’s alliance with Spain. Above, a joyful witness holds up a statue of the child Jesus. Below, Father Joseph Szolack, pastor, with Deacon Andy Encarnado, blesses the Santo Nino statues in front of the altar. Photos by Alan M. Dumoff
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