My Niño

It wasn’t a mere drizzle. It was a heavy shower that occasionally turned into a strong torrent. But, for the devotees of the Sto. Niño, it didn’t make a difference. Throngs of them still flocked to the Shrine not minding how drenched they could get.

I had prayed for a not so hot sunshine for that particular Thursday. I planned on going to the Shrine to once again participate in the honoring of the Holy Infant. I had anticipated a long climb up the steep hill. But when January the 15th came, I got more than I asked. It wasn’t just a cool day, it was a freezing cold wet day.

But then, as I have already made up my mind, I did go to the Shrine to visit the Sto. Niño on His Feast Day. I actually expected people to be going up the hill in throng, just like before. I anticipated a very long steep walk with the rest of the crowd. But then, when I got to the foot of the hill, I saw no such multitude climbing up hill. I was a bit disappointed to have no one to go up with. But then, there were a lot of tricycles going up—another unusual thing. So, even though I was so looking forward to hiking to the Shrine, I took the tricycle instead, just like the rest of the crowd.

I half expected no crowd at the Shrine—what with the weather. To my surprise, though, devotees actually flock the place of worship—some, bringing umbrellas, others, just warming in their jackets, and the others, even just strode under the rain, meditating. Of course, there were almost no people at the uncovered ground—devotees huddled in the chapels at the Shrine.

The 10:00 mass was about to end when I got there. Since there was a mass every hour, I just went to the Sto. Niño Chapel where the image of the Holy Infant was exposed for the devotees to visit up close. There was no line of worshippers there, so I took the opportunity to touch the Holy Niño, much to my luck, for a few minutes later, a crowd collected lining up to touch the image of the Holy Child.

I joined the 11:00 mass, after which, I decided to go home. It was still pouring rain after the mass, and much later after. It did not bother me at all. I suspect it didn’t bother the other devotees either. There was a different kind of peace and contentment going there despite the downpour. And I would do it over again. Next year, with God’s grace, I could still go up the Shrine—rain or shine.