Walk with Mary, Traslacion Mass attract 200K devotees

Local

MORE than 200,000 devotees filled Cebu’s major thoroughfares on Thursday, Jan. 15, for the Walk with Mary and the early morning Traslacion Mass.

This as footsteps and chants marked the procession, guiding participants toward the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

Thousands of devotees packed the Basilica as the Traslacion Mass began following the Walk with Mary.

Earlier, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had already been in a procession from the Archdiocesan Shrine, met the Señor Santo Niño at Fuente Osmeña Circle, signaling the start of the route to the Basilica.

Cebuano faithful lined the streets along the route, which began around 4 a.m., joining the procession with prayers and hymns.

This year, the images will remain overnight at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City, allowing more devotees from neighboring towns to venerate the Sagrada Familia.

Rev. Fr. Joselito E. Danao reminded the faithful of the deeper purpose behind their devotion.

“The final destiny, final conclusion for each one of us will be one family in God in heaven,” he said during the Day 8, 5:30 a.m. Novena Mass.

He called on devotees to live their faith through both heart and action: “What is the heart of God? Forgiveness. What is the heart of Santo Niño? Mercy… love. What is the action of Santo Niño? Service.

Additionally, Lt. Col. Franco Rudolf Oriol, Deputy City Director for Administration of the Cebu City Police Office, reported that the procession remained peaceful and orderly.

He initially estimated around 160,000 participants along the route, but the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recorded approximately 216,000 devotees.

Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak, chair of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Council, said this number includes an estimated 152,000 along the streets and 64,000 around the Basilica.

Last year, about 300,000 devotees joined the Walk with Mary.

Oriol said forecasted rain kept some senior citizens and other participants from joining but added that attendance could increase during Saturday’s foot procession if weather conditions improve.

Authorities deployed roughly 1,700 personnel before dawn, including police, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Joint Task Group Cebu, and ROTC cadets.

Volunteers assisted with crowd management along the route from the Basilica to Mandaue City, ensuring that devotees moved safely and orderly.

The welcome Mass at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph is scheduled at 9 a.m., followed by continuous veneration and kissing of the images.

The church will remain open throughout the night, holding multiple Masses until the farewell Mass at 4 a.m. on Jan. 16.

The event also coincides with Mandaue City’s Panagtagbo Festival, linking the religious observance to broader community celebrations.

Despite the early hour and forecasted rain, Cebuano devotion was evident.

Streets and church grounds overflowed with prayers and quiet reflection, demonstrating that even before sunrise, faith can unite hundreds of thousands in a peaceful and orderly celebration.(MyTVCebu)