Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu: Epic History

What is Sto. Nino De Cebu (Basilica Church)?

Father Andres de Urdaneta founded the convent and church of the Sto. Nino de Cebu on April 28, 1565, the very day the Legazpi-Urdaneta expedition arrived.

The Sto. Nino Church dates back to the earliest days of the Augustinians in the Philippines. Among other things, it was only a nipa house and the surrounding area had been assigned to the Augustinians, where the first Philippine chapel was built.

It was a small, temporary building in which the Sto. Niño de Cebu was housed.

A few years later, Father Martin de Rada began to construct the church and monastery. At that time, these buildings were constructed of light materials, according to the style of the islands. Augustinians rebuilt them from stronger materials after they were destroyed by fire.

What to Look For in Sto. Nino De Cebu?

Here are some expected things to see:

• Basilica Church
• Convent
• Gasa Niño Religious Store
• Adoration Chapel
• Confession Room
• Santo Niño Chapel
• Library
• Museum
• Dagkotanan (Candle Lighting)
• Colegio del Sto. Niño
• Magellan’s Cross
• Santo Niño Pilgrim Center
• Basilica Directional Map
• Virtual Tour at the Basilica

Basilica Church (Construction Summary)

1566 – A fire destroyed the first church built on the site where the image of the Holy Child was found. The structure is said to have been built with wood and nipa by Father Diego de Herrera.

1605 – A new church was constructed by Father Pedro Torres from wood and nipa. The building was completed in 1626 but was burned again in 1628.

1628 – It was Father Juan Medina who began to build another church using stone and bricks, which was a good innovation at the time. Due to defective bricks, construction on the structure was stopped – they melted when in contact with air.

February 29, 1735 – Father Provincial Bergaño, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio y Ocampo of Cebu, and Juan de Albarran Prior of the Sto. Niño de Cebu, began the foundations of the current church, using stone.

Convent

Augustinian priests still live in the adjacent convent built around an atrium. On the first floor are the parish offices and on the second floor are the friars’ living quarters. 

There is an intricately carved staircase with Chinese-style lions leading to the spacious classroom or living room, where a 19th-century painting of Augustinian saints is displayed. 

The San Agustin Museum in Manila houses a copy of this painting. It is necessary to obtain permission to enter the second story.

Gasa Niño Religious Store

There used to be a Basilica Shop on the south wing of the Basilica, connecting the convent and the church. In its current location, the Religious Store is next to Magellan’s Cross in the former La Fortuna Bakery and Shop. 

The store sells articles as well as souvenirs and memories of the Sto. Niño. It is open Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Adoration Chapel

A beautiful Adoration Chapel is located beside the confession room in the Basilica atrium before reaching the Sto. Nino Chapel. It is open daily.

Confession Room

There is a confession room in the Basilica atrium, beside the Adoration Chapel, and just before you reach the Sto. Niño Chapel. You can confess to a priest in the following days and times:

• Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Friday – 8:00 AM to 12 Noon and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Santo Niño Chapel

Father Rector, Restituto Suarez, OSA, built the marble side chapel in 1975 for public veneration of Santo Nino even during celebrations inside the basilica because devotees kept multiplying. 

Ten years after the 4th centennial celebration of the Christianization of the Philippines and the elevation of the San Agustin Church to the status of Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu in 1965, this structure was constructed.

Nearly five centuries have passed since the original image of the Child Jesus was displayed inside the bullet-proof glass box in Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu. 

In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan brought the original image of Santo Nino to Cebu. It has been open for viewing to pilgrims and visitors since then. 

While devotees are allowed to view the original image of the Holy Child, it is carefully guarded, and it cannot be brought outside.

Library

Augustinian Friars of the Basilica built a library in one of the corners of the convent. This was following the wise advice of St Augustine of Hippo that in every house there should be a library. 

Although it is unclear when this library was built, it is safe to assume that it was constructed when the convent was completed in 1764.

For centuries, the Friars had exclusive use of the library. It was then opened to researchers in 2000, allowing them to use it. Since then, it has helped a lot of researchers conduct their specific studies.

Museum

Rev. Fr. Ambrosio J Galindez, O.S.A., founded the museum in 1965 to commemorate the fourth centennial celebration of the Christianization of the Philippines. It was located inside the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu Convent. 

There was a particular room in the convent where vestments and assorted offerings were displayed. Currently, the museum is located in the basement of the Santo Nino Pilgrim Center, which was completed in 1995.

In order to accommodate the increasing number of visitors and devotees, the Augustinian community moved the museum to a more spacious location.

Museum Hours:

Registration fees:

• Adult: P30.00
• Senior Citizen: P15.00
• Student: P10.00
• Children: P10.00

Dagkotanan (Candle Lighting)

A candle area or “DAGKOTAN” can also be found on the right side of the Pilgrim Center facing the altar if you wish to pray privately. There are plenty of red candles inside the candle area, so pick one or more. 

All you need to do is pick, light, and pray. You can get the red candles for free and you can also make a donation.

Colegio del Sto. Niño

More than three centuries after Spanish rule ended in the Philippines, the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) friars continued to serve the country pastorally and evangelized. Colegio del Santo Nino in Cebu City is one of the educational institutions they founded.

In 1902, the Very Rev. Fr. Jose Lobo issued a decree mandating the formation of the Colegio Elementaria del Sto. Nino de Cebu.

It was completed in 1903, and classes officially began in 1904.

Magellan’s Cross

Upon arriving in Cebu on April 21, 1521, the explorers of the Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan planted the Magellan’s Cross which refers to the original wooden cross.

To protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts, it was said that it was encased inside another wooden cross that is made of tindalo wood in 1835. Some people believe that the cross possesses miraculous powers.

However, many historians believe that the cross was destroyed.

Santo Niño Pilgrim Center

As a result of the increasing numbers of pilgrims and devotees of Santo Nino, the Santo Nino Pilgrim Center was originally envisioned in 1989 by Rev. Fr Apolinario Mejorada, OSA.

It was designed to accommodate a large number of pilgrims and devotees and serves as an extension of the Basilica.

Many people also recognize it as a landmark with its iconic facade mimicking the retablo mayor inside the church.

Throughout the year, this place hosts Holy Masses, prayers, novenas, and even sinug dances in honor of the Child Jesus, Snr. Sto. Nino.

Special Mass Schedule

If you want to attend the mass, novena, or take a confession, take note of the following schedule below:

The Best Time to Visit Sto. Nino De Cebu

The most convenient time to visit is during the weekdays to avoid heavy traffic. People who do not want a crowded place should be aware of special events such as the Feast of Sto. Nino De Cebu to avoid the crowd.

During the Feast of Senyor Sto. Nino, we celebrate the Sinulog Festival here in Cebu. Additionally, there will be novenas before the feast day, so it will be crowded during these days.

The celebration takes place on the 3rd Sunday of January.

How to Get There?

You can use Waze or Google Maps to find the route if you are driving your own car. Just search for “Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebu (Basilica Del Sto. Niño)” or “Magellan’s Cross and The Cross of Magellan Historical Marker” since they are in the same location.

When you are in Basak or Pardo, you can also take a jeepney (9G or 10G). You can ask the driver to drop you off at Magellan’s Cross or Sto. Nino de Cebu.

Taxis are also an option if you’re a tourist visiting Cebu and don’t know much about the city.

Sto. Nino de Cebu Picture Compilation

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