• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
Hundreds of devotees joined the traditional “Traslacion de San Sebastian” from the Sto. Niño Chapel at Purok Magsungay in Barangay Singcang Airport going to San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City Tuesday.
The pilgrim image of San Sebastian was carried by several groups on a nearly 5-kilometer procession route, passing by San Antonio Abad Parish and Sacred Heart Shrine before it was brought to the Cathedral.
San Sebastian Cathedral rector Msgr. Ronald Quijano was joined by Fr. Narciso Gregori Gayares VII, and Fr. Armando Onion of Sto.Niño Chaplaincy during the procession. The different group bearers of the image of San Sebastian during the procession from Sto. Niño Chapel to the cathedral were Sto. Niño Parishioners, Our Lady of Good Voyage, Barangay Singcang staff and tanods, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, San Antonio Abad Parishioners, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Sacred Heart Seminary, Bureau of Fire Protection, John B. Lacson College Foundation, Visayan Maritime Academy, Navy Reservist, BCPO Striker Force Multiplier, Philippine National Police (BCPO), Cathedral Boys Choir, and Acolitos.
The Misa Docenario in honor of San Sebastian will be held every 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral until January 19. On the fiesta day a concelebrated mass will be held at the San Sebastian Cathedral at 9 o’clock in the morning on January 20.
The traslacion is now held yearly to commemorate the devotion to San Sebastian of the settlers in the first settlement of the city, San Sebastian de Magsungay. It also depicts the struggles overcome by strong devotion and faith to the Lord of the people of the Diocese through the years. San Sebastian is the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Bacolod.*
