The Peoria area’s Filipino-American community will celebrate love for the Christ Child under the title of Santo Nino de Cebu with a blessing of images during the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, July 18, at St. Joseph Church, 103 Richard Pryor Place in Peoria.

Those attending are invited to bring statues of Santo Nino de Cebu from their homes for the blessing, and then to carry them in a procession of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass. The evening will continue with a Filipino reception (potluck) and a cultural dance honoring the Infant Jesus in the parish hall.
Veneration of the Infant Jesus of Cebu dates back to the Christianization of the Philippines. A Santo Nino de Cebu statue was enthroned in St. Joseph Church 17 years ago.

In preparation for the July 18 celebration, a nine-day novena is planned at 6 p.m. from July 9 to 17 in Father Clair Bourdereaux Hall at Sacred Heart Church, 504 Fulton St. in Peoria. The public is welcome. For more information, call Laura Corpuz at (309) 383-4143.