Sto. Nino Exhibit 2013

January is the month of the Sto. Nino. As a sign of their love to the Holy Child, Filipinos hold many festivals in His honor during this month.  Once again, we went to the Sto. Nino Exhibit at the Philippine National Bank. Here are some of the sacred images that were exhibited there.

The exhibit was sponsored by the Congregacion de Niño Jesus, a group of devotees of the Child Jesus.

Sto. Niño Exhibit: More Images of the Holy Child

Some of the images at the Sto. Niño exhibited showed what happened when Jesus grew up and fulfilled his mission on earth.

One particular image caught my attention because of its appearance.  It's called the Sto. Niño de Passion, which shows the Holy Child holding a crucifix in one hand, and a crown of thorns and nails in the other.  The expression on the Niño's face is so pained, as if contemplating on his future sacrifice for us.   I can't help but feel feel sad for the child.  

The other images portrayed the different titles given to the Child Jesus, including the Sto. Niño del Espiritu Santo,  Sto. Niño del Sagrada Eucharistia and Sto. Niño dela Cruz y Paz.

But no matter what title is bestowed upon the Holy Child, He will grow up into Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, the King and Savior of mankind.

Sto. Niño Exhibit

Filipinos love the Sto. Niño, the little child Jesus.  Come to any Filipino Catholic home and chances are you will see an icon of the Child Jesus occupying a special place in the altar.  

The image of the Sto. Niño first arrived in the country when the Spaniards came here.  History tells us that when our ancestors were baptized, the Spanish priest gave Queen Juana, wife of the chief, a sacred image of the Sto. Niño.  It has survived a number of fires, including one during World War II and remained unscathed.  The same image now resides in the Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu City where it receives thousands of devotees on the third Sunday of January every year.

Last January, to coincide with this feast, a group of devotees of the Child Jesus called Congregacion de Niño Jesus  exhibited hundreds of images of their patron.  We were able to go to that exhinit at the PNB Building at the Government Center in Pasay City.  Since taking of photographs was allowed, I took several pictures of the beautiful images.

As a sign of their love and devotion, Filipinos love to dress up the Child Jesus in fineries.

Here are some of the numerous Niños on display.