Many of us are very familiar with the event of a coronation of religious images. This is called the canonical coronation and these events are done to acknowledge the Marian and Christological images which have significant roles in fostering the faith of many people.
As Sinulog weekend has just started, I would like to introduce to you the four canonically-crowned images of the Señor Santo Niño and their backstories. May these stories help you in your journey of faith and foster all that love and devotion to the Child Jesus.
Santo Bambino de Aracoeli
- Provenance: Minor Basilica of Santa Maria Aracoeli, Rome, Italy.
- Coronation date: May 2,1987
- Pontificate: Pope Leo XIII
This statue of the Infant Jesus dates back from the fifteenth century is a wood carving that was made in Jerusalem by a Franciscan friar through the use of the Gethsemane olive tree. The miraculous image was forcibly thrown in the sea during a storm upon the friar’s return to Rome but miraculously arrived in the port of Livorno.
In the Philippines, devotion to the Santo Bambino de Aracoeli began when a replica was enshrined at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Maragondon, Cavite in 1986. His feast is celebrated every May 2.
Bambino Gesu de Arenzano
- Provenance: Minor Basilica of the Child Jesus of Arenzano, Genoa, Italy
- Coronation date: February 24, 1924
- Pontificate: Pope Pius XI
The image was donated by Marquise Delphina Gavotti of Savona, and was presented in the shrine in 1902, replacing the picture of the Infant Jesus of Prague brought by the Carmelite order on September 25, 1900. The feast of the image is celebrated every September 01 and various miracles have been reported by pilgrims.
Although there are no chapels, oratories, and parishes dedicated to the Bambino Gesu de Arenzano in the Philippines. Some Filipinos are members of the Pious Association of the Bambino Gesu de Arenzano.
Holy Infant of Prague
- Provenance: Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious – Shrine of the Child Jesus, Prague, Czech Republic
- Coronation: September 6, 1924
- Pontificate: Pope Pius XI
The statue of the Holy Infant of Prague was modeled by a pious friar inspired by a vision. It was once owned by the Pernstein family and given to the Carmelite Monastery in Prague by Polyxena of Lobkowicz in 1629. The infant Jesus is said to have appeared to Father Cyril, asking for his hands to be restored, promising blessings in the world.
In the Philippines, the devotion is popular, with notable shrines at the Abbey of Our Lady in Montserrat in Manila and the Chapel-shrine of the Holy Infant in Matina, Davao City.
Santo Niño de Cebu
- Provenance: Minor Basilica of Santo Niño de Cebu, Cebu
- Coronation date: April 28, 1965
- Pontificate: Pope St. Paul IV
The first religious figure in the Philippines brought by Ferdinand Magellan, was given to Humaymay (baptized as Queen Juana). Upon receiving the image, Reina Juana reportedly wept. After Magellan’s death in 1521, the image was initially attempted to be destroyed by natives but eventually venerated as a deity.
The Santo Niño de Cebu’s devotion was instrumental in spreading Christianity across the Philippines with replicas venerated in Batangas, Malitbog, Leyte, Biñan, Laguna, and Intramuros, Manila.
