The traditional "penitencia" starts every Passion Sunday (April 9 this year) in front of the Herrera residence and it is where penitents or flagellants begin their walk of sacrifice (inflicting injuries on themselves by whipping their backs) on the streets of Malabon. This is a Lenten scenery in the towns of Malabon and Navotas.

The Sr. Sto. Niño White’s healing miracles have become known far and wide in the Philippines from far north as Benguet, Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos provinces and Baguio town to the south in Davao, Surigao del Sur and Palawan. In fact, the Sr. Sto. Niño White devotees, followers and believers of the Catholic faith have already evolved into a cohesive and devoted group, now popularly known as the Sr. Sto. Niño White Healing Ministry. It is headed by its founder, Bro. Martin Herrera, and its co-founder, Sis. Ida "Nanay" Herrera.

The group’s mission is to become responsible members of the community and faithful believers, and to help the poorest of the poor through the ministry’s medical, dental, feeding, spiritual and healing program. In recognition and acceptance of the ministry’s noble and significant contributions to the propagation of the Catholic beliefs and practices, and likewise, in acknowledgment of the countless people miraculously healed, Fr. Rey Amante of the Immaculate Conception Church in Malabon has duly lent credence to these healing miracles. Fr. Amante serves as the ministry’s spiritual adviser.

According to the Herrera family who owns the Sr. Sto. Nino White, it is white in appearance because it wants to distinguish itself from the ethnicized black Sto. Niño de Cebu. True enough, the color "white" signifies cleanliness and purity and its coming to the small fishing vllage is to cleanse and purify sinners, save and convert souls, and give succor to all who come and seek God’s help to cure their sick body, mind and spirit.

Since its birth on May 27, 1986, thousands of people who could not afford the high cost of medicines, prolonged professional services of doctors and hospital care have been cured of their sickness and diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, and those affecting the kidney, liver and heart. Even those with unexplained and strangest maladies which had been declared medically incurable were cured because of the Sr. Sto. Niño White’s help and by God’s wonderful grace.

This writer together with other Sr. Sto. Niño White devotees can testify to the countless miracles which we have not only seen but also have been part of the whole experience as well. These miracles were directly experienced by the people whom he touched and gave comfort and favors physically, materially and spiritually and are living testaments to the majestic beauty and enchantment of a loving and living God in the persona of our Sr. Sto. Niño White.

The five-day Lenten retreat provides only meager and Spartan-like accommodations. The mission is to unite with Christ and Mary by communing with them through prayers, fasting and sacrifice and totally detaching oneself from the world. This year a total of 95 people once more overcame the mountain’s punishing experience and to be rewarded afterwards by God’s loving presence, his kindness, his wonderful grace and blessings. Hence, the group not only achieved its mission of reparation and reconciliation, but also succeeded in achieving the very essence of Lent which is to love Jesus and be like Christ in Passion and in Spirit.

The chapel of St. Niño White is located in Brgy. Tanza, 506 Makinis St., Carville Subdivision, Malabon-Navotas. For inquiries, call Bro. Martin Herrera (2824297) or Sister Cesy (0919-2068225).