Santo Cristo Milagroso de Sinait - The Ever Miraculous Lord of Ilocos Sur

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Santo Cristo Milagroso de Sinait
In the town of Sinait in Ilocos Sur, a town of rich history and faith, is also known for one of the major pilgrim sites in Ilocandia, the Parish of San Nicolas de Tolentino, also known as the Shrine of Senor Santo Cristo Milagroso de Sinait of Ilocos Sur. The Senor Santo Cristo of Sinait lives up to the title of "Senor Milagroso" because of the numerous miracles that were reported through his help that molded the town to its present state.

The Image

The image of Senor Santo Cristo Milagroso of Sinait is that of an image of the Crucified Christ made of dark wood. The image depicts Christ died on the cross as his eyes seems to be closed.

The images often wears a wig, a set of tres potencias and a set of beautifully embroidered tapis, given by his devotees as ex votos. His serene expression can easily captivate the hearts of his devotees that it is no wonder that the devotion would immediately spark once his image was enthroned to his home in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

The Mysterious box that started it all

La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc
The origin of the miraculous image dates back to 1620 when local fishermen caught, a huge box in the shores of Barangay Dadalaquiten that divides Sinait, Ilocos Sur and Barangay Paguetpet of Badoc, Ilocos Norte. A large crowd of townsfolk from Sinait and Badoc arrived at the scene gathering around the mysterious box and were astounded by the contents. One box contained the statue of the Black Santo Cristo Milagroso and the other box contained the statue of the Blessed Virgin with the Infant Jesus in her arms accompanied by two statuettes of angels and a violin which will later to be known as La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc.

A heated argument between the Sinait and Badoc fishermen who found the boxes ensued. A fascinating legend gives a uniquely inspiring story of this event. The dispute was later on settled amicably by what seemed like a divine power deciding their destiny. Only fishermen from Sinait were able to move the Statue of the Black Nazarene. The fishermen from Badoc, on the other hand, were able to move the La Virgen Milagrosa that came with it. They took the statues to their respective towns, hence becoming their town's patron saints. The image of Senor Santo Cristo is enshrined to his chosen town of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. Today, a chapel was built the location were the images were found that can be visited pilgrims today. Finding the images unusually light, these simple folks came to the realization that the Crucified Christ was truly destined for Sinait while Badoc was the Virgin’s choice.

Centuries later, the images of the Virgin and the crucified Christ were brought back to Dadalaquiten on May 01, 1980, perhaps the first time that the two images went back to the place where they landed more than three centuries before. It was a joint celebration between the people of Ilocos Sur with their pastor Archbishop Juan C. Sison and Ilocos Norte with their shepherd Bishop Edmundo M. Abaya. This was made through the initiative of Rev. Raymundo Gracia and Rev. Juan Ballesteros, parish priest of Sinait and Badoc, respectively. A marker and replica of the Santo Cristo now stand in the place where the reunion was enacted.

It is believed that the box is intended for the Japanese missions to help strengthen the faith of Persecuted Japanese faithful who were being persecuted during the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is widely believed that the image came from Japan as its facial features would also attest. In the 17th century there was a persecution of Christians in this still feudal Land of the Rising Sun. It was at this time that St. Lorenzo Ruiz was martyred. Fearing destruction of their sacred images, the Japanese Christians jettisoned them into the sea and currents brought them to our shores.

The Miracles

A number of miracles are attributed to Senor Santo Cristo Milagroso. One of the most astounding reported miracle because of their beloved "Apo Lakay" happened between 1882 - 1883. In 1882, a pestilence killed 934 residents by the end of that year alone. Due to the horrible number of deaths everyday, the Naturales and the Mestizos were so alarmed that they asked the parish priest, Father Evaristo Abaya, to bring the Santo Cristo Milagroso to Vigan for veneration.

After the miraculous image of Santo Cristo was brought to Vigan the people made a nine -day Novena in honor of Senor Santo Cristo. Amazingly the number of death decreased as the novena went on daily. As the novena continued during that period, the number of reported deaths due to the epidemic decreased . And when the novena culminated the epidemic ceased.

The people of Vigan joyously thanked the Lord. The parish priest said a solemn thankgiving Mass attended by almost the whole populace. The people of Vigan returned the Miraculous Image of Santo Cristo to Sinait town. The people thanked the parish priest of Sinait and the people of Vigan did not forget their fillial devotion to the Crucified Christ known to these days as "Apo Lakay".

As an act of thanksgiving to the Lord, the Naturales of Vigan chose the 3rd day of May to coincide with the feast of the founding of the Holy Cross and the feast of Apo Santo Cristo Milagroso of Sinait. The Tres de Mayo fiesta is the feast of the whole Naturales section of Vigan called the Feast of the Natives of Vigan which started on May 3, 1823 and has been yearly and joyously celebrated up to the present at all corners of Vigan occupied by the naturales section.

The devotion

The devotion to Santo Cristo Milagroso is proven to be strong to the Ilocanos up to the present day. Pilgrims flock his shrine in Sinait, especially during Holy Week and his feast, May 3, to ask for his help in their every need. As we end this blogpost dedicated to Senor Santo Cristo Milagroso of Sinait, here is a prayer if you have a special need that you can ask to Our Lord:

O Crucified Christ, when the thief, crucified at your right prayed; “Lord, remember me...”, you immediately answered him: “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” Many favors are obtained thru the devotion to you, dear Santo Cristo Milagroso, as we reflect on your sufferings and death. We trust in your mercy that graces obtained for us by your passion and death be not in vain. I ask you to help me in this need (tell your petitions); may it be for the glory of God and the salvations of souls. Amen. 

 Señor Santo Cristo Milagroso de Sinait, have mercy on us!

References:

Aviado, Lutgarda (1975), "Madonna's of the Philippines", Manlapaz Press, Quezon City
___________ "The History of Sto. Cristo de Sinait", San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Shrine of Sto. Cristo de Sinait, Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Bandayrel, Nicomedes (1927), Novena quen Apo Santo Cristo, a madaydayac iti Santuariona ti simbaaan iti illi a Sinait, Ilocos Sur, maicadua nga pannacaideppelna.

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