CEBU PILGRIMAGE, Part 5 The Interior of The Basilica Minore of Santo Niño de Cebú

The Magnificent Retablo of the Main Altar

When the Mass was finished I decided to enter the Basilica in order to pray and to take pictures of the Church. But it was very difficult to move because of the number of people going out and the equally number of worshippers coming in. So, I stopped for a while at the Main Door made of a very large wood engraved with the images of the beloved Apostles: Sts. Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church of Rome.

The Ceiling of the Main Altar

I had to take several shots before I successfully shot the two images of the Apostles because people are appearing at exactly the time the camera was capturing the image. Until finally the Sts. Peter and Paul heard my prayers and their photos are presented herein.

In order to reach the main Altar I joined the devotees walking to the front aisles through their bare knees just like the Shrine of Our Lady in Baclaran. However, I didn't walk through my knees since our time was limited. I went straight to the Communion rail right in front of the Main Altar and prayed. Then, took some shots of the majestic Retablo shown here.

The Lectern

After only about15 minutes, the celebrant priest appeared, the organ sounded and the people started singing. A new Mass is starting. I escaped through the side pews and took a photo of the Blessed Sacrament. Then whisked at the side doors where I found these beautiful images of the saints.

St. Paul the Apostle in the Wood of the Grand Door of the Basilica

Returning to the plaza, I found only Rosauro. I asked him about our companions but they were also inside the Basilica. So, I tried to search for them until I found the small door at the side of the Basilica leading to the religious shop. I was so happy to get beautiful key chains of the Holy Child of Cebu.

St. Peter the First Pope at the other side of the Main Door of the Basilica

The Beloved San Roque

The Blessed Sacrament of the Basilica

Devotees praying before the Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Nicolas of Tolentino

A painting inside the Religious Shop at the side of the Basilica depicting a Cebuana in prayer and holding the copy of the prayer book. It shows the deep religiosity of the Cebuana women.

Another painting depicting a poor woman selling a red candle. She is doing a work for source of income and also out of deep devotion to the Holy Child.

Sta. Clara de Montefalco

A Painting depicting the arrival of the Spaniard Conquistadores and the Augustinian Friars in the Philippines.