Our Foundation

The Santo Niño is a representation of the Child Jesus — the name literally means “holy child”. Filipinos, being largely Roman Catholic, venerate and are faithful devotees of the Santo Niño, whom they believe to be miraculous.

History

The Santo Niño is believed to be the oldest religious image in the Philippines. The statue was given in 1521 as a baptismal gift by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, through Antonio Pigafetta, who handed it to Lady Humamay, the principal wife of Rajah Humabon. This very first image, known as the Santo Niño de Cebú, is enshrined in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu.

Many other images and versions of the Santo Niño were given life in the festivals dedicated to the Holy Child, and the image is found in many homes and businesses across the country. The celebration of the feast of the Santo Niño was approved by the Holy See, with special liturgical texts used during local feasts. The official celebration is on the third Sunday of January, when provinces hold colourful fiestas in offering.

The Tri-Valley Santo Niño Prayer Group

The Tri-Valley Santo Niño Prayer Group was founded in 1989 and has thrived in the Tri-Valley area, with a strong membership of close to 200 families. Our members are primarily registered at these Tri-Valley parishes: the Catholic Community of Pleasanton, St. Raymond, St. Joan of Arc, St. Isidore and St. Michael. Members volunteer their time and services to their own parish or as a group under the Tri-Valley Santo Niño Prayer Group.

Our goal

Our goal is to evangelize and unite the Filipino community by upholding our culture and heritage, and to deepen the faith and devotion to the Santo Niño (Holy Infant Jesus) of every family we serve.

Every Friday evening the statues of the Holy Infant Jesus and Mother Mary are transferred to the family scheduled to receive them, followed by the rosary and novena prayers with the members in attendance. The statues stay with the family for a week, and the rosary and novena are prayed daily until they move to the next family. The devotion to the Santo Niño also inspires the highest values in upholding the sacred traditions of Philippine culture and heritage. No weekly monetary collection is ever taken from families.

Celebration

The Tri-Valley Santo Niño Feast is celebrated every year in the second week of January, together with the San Leandro and San Joaquin chapters. The fiesta is funded mainly by the members' voluntary annual donation in December. Any leftover funds are deposited in an account with two coordinators as signatories and are open to all members for review. Financial reports are shared with members and coordinators every year, once all expenses have been tallied, for full transparency.

Coordinators

The coordinators of the Tri-Valley Santo Niño Prayer Group and our spiritual advisor: