Hubo Mass signals end of Fiesta Señor today

The Archdiocesan Commission on Worship today closes the feast of the Sto. Niño with the traditional closing ritual of bathing of the Holy Child and replacing its dress with a new set during this morning's Hubo Mass at the Pilgrims Center of the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

“We are trying to complete the devotion and we are doing this within the cultural context. We are trying to help retain our culture and faith,” Msgr. Cristobal Garcia, commission chairman, said. Garcia said that the devotion and ritual could be done in other parishes if they wish to perform it.

Garcia said symbolically “the Hubo Mass opens the Lenten seasons just as the feast of Sto. Niño closes the Christmas seasons.”

The symbolism of the “bathing” of the Holy Infant Jesus, he said, is “that he emptied himself for us.”

Iconographer Louie Nacorda said the ritual involves immersing the image of Sto. Niño in a basin of perfumed water, bathing it and dressing it up in less ornate attire symbolizing the end of the fiesta.

In the past, the ritual was limited to the privacy of the Augustinian friar's quarters and witnessed only by a chosen group of women.

When the public learned of the closed-door ritual, they asked the priest to allow them to witness it.

The Augustinians made the ritual public for the first time in 1990.

The ritual begins with the removing of the crown, followed by the orb and scepter and armlet, the bands, cape, tunic, the inner garments and boots.

Then the icon is dressed up again with a new set of less ornate grab. “A prayer is recited for each peace of clothing, signifying an event in the life of Jesus,” Nacorda said.