CEBU CITY- Before the morning commute even began, Cebu’s streets were filled with the quite rhythm of prayer on thursday, as over 200,000 devotees participated in the annual Walk with Mary.
Fiesta Señor Kicks Off with Massive Religious Procession
More then 200,000 people took part in the Walk with Mary and Traslacion Mass,marking the start of Cebu’s 461st Fiesta Señor celebrations.
- The annual Walk with Mary drew over 200,000 participants on January 15, 2026.
- The Traslacion Mass formally began the key phase of the Fiesta Señor celebrations.
- Authorities reported a peaceful event, despite a slightly lower turnout than the previous year.
- Roughly 1,700 security personnel were deployed to ensure safety during the procession.
The day began with the walk with Mary, followed by the early morning Traslacion Mass, officially launching a central part of the 461st Fiesta Señor-a deeply rooted religious tradition that runs parallel to the vibrant Sinulog Festival. The procession commenced around 3 a.m. when the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe,originating from the Archdiocesan Shrine in Barangay Guadalupe,met the Santo Niño at Fuente Osmeña Circle.
“Everything happened according to plan. One big factor is the cooperation of the people and the coordination between law enforcement and the local government,” Oriol said.
Oriol also suggested that the threat of rain may have discouraged some senior citizens and other devotees from participating, but added that attendance could increase during Saturday’s foot procession if the weather improves.
To ensure security, approximately 1,700 personnel-including police, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Joint Task Group Cebu, and ROTC cadets-were deployed before dawn. Volunteers also assisted in managing the crowds along the route from the basilica to Mandaue City.
During the Day eight Novena Mass at 5:30 a.m., Rev. Fr.Joselito Danao reminded devotees of the core meaning of their faith. “The final destiny, final conclusion for each one of us will be one family in God in heaven,” he said. He also urged the faithful to embody forgiveness, mercy, love, and service in their daily lives.
Following the Walk with Mary, the images were transported to the National Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City for an overnight stay, allowing devotees from neighboring towns to pay their respects to the Sagrada Familia. This overnight visit coincides with Mandaue City’s Panagtagbo Festival, integrating the religious observance with the city’s broader community celebrations.
