Hundreds of Catholics gathered for a devotion dear to Filipinos on Sunday, Aug. 18 at St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia to celebrate the summer Sinulog Festival in honor of Señor Santo Niño de Cebú, the Holy Child Jesus, venerated since the 16th century as miraculous by the Filipino community. St. Augustine’s is the national shrine for devotion to the Santo Niño in North America, and the church is a locus of worship for many Filipino-Americans in the Philadelphia area.

Leading the celebration was Archbishop Bernardito C. Auza, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Following a morning Mass celebrated by the archbishop and priests including Augustinian clergy who staff St. Augustine’s, the faithful began a liturgical procession with music through the streets of Old City ending with a celebration back at the church, located at 243 North Lawrence Street. (Photos by Sarah Webb)