MANILA (UCAN/CBCP News): Devotees—estimated to have swelled to nine million—twirled white cloths and chanted “Viva, viva” as a historic statue of Jesus was paraded through the streets of Manila, the Philippines, during the feast of Jesus Nazareno, January 9 in the nation’s biggest annual religious event.
The annual parade commemorates the arrival of the wooden statue of Christ from Mexico in the early 1600s. Many believe the statue acquired its dark colour after surviving a fire aboard the Spanish ship that brought it to the Philippines, leading to its being known colloquially as the “Black Nazarene.”
The day-long procession began before dawn—just before 4.00am, with barefoot volunteers pulling the heavy andas [carriage] through narrow streets where the devout waited in hopes of touching the icon, which is believed to possess miraculous powers, UCAN reported.
Thousands of police officers were deployed to manage the crowds as the procession made its way from the Quirino Grandstand to its home at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno—Quiapo Church—arriving around 10.50am on January 10—31 hours after the procession began.
This year’s festival—this year themed, “He must increase, and I must decrease”—followed a series of deadly typhoons, earthquakes, and a high-profile corruption scandal that has shaken the archipelago of 116 million people.
There are those today who refuse to step down even when they are wrong and exposed, even when the people suffer. Step down freely, out of mercy and love
Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr.
Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. of Balanga, speaking at the Quirino Grandstand before the start of the procession, criticised those who refuse to relinquish authority even when wrongdoing is exposed and the poor continue to suffer, according to CBCP News.
“There are those today who refuse to step down even when they are wrong and exposed, even when the people suffer. Step down freely, out of mercy and love,” Bishop Sescon appealed.
He urged the faithful not to compete for prominence, but for mission, calling them to lead through service rather than ambition or self-interest. He noted that Jesus Nazareno willingly humbled himself out of mercy, not from failure, and stressed that authentic love is demonstrated through service and self-giving.
The bishop said Christ became human not because God failed to hear people, but because humanity often refuses to listen and respond.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
“Jesus came down so we would learn how to listen,” Bishop Sescon said, adding that true devotion requires obedience, not just petitions for blessings.
A 66-year-old fishmonger, Josefina Ancheta, brought her grown-up children and grandchildren from nearby Cavite province to witness the procession and seek God’s blessings. “We wish to remain healthy,” she said, UCAN reported.
He [Bishop Sescon] urged the faithful not to compete for prominence, but for mission, calling them to lead through service rather than ambition or self-interest
“I wish … for them to be spared from danger and accidents, and for them to grow up into upstanding men and women who have God in their hearts,” she added.
Manila resident Jose Borbon, a 23-year-old calesa [horse carriage] driver, said, “For this year, my wish is for the [political] system in the Philippines to change and for the corrupt people to disappear from the face of the earth.”
He said, “Nothing is impossible if you pray to him.”
Hours before the midnight fiesta Mass in Manila, 60-year-old twin sisters from Cavite, Remy Contreras and Rosario Vargas, also prayed for the country.
Contreras prayed for protection from earthquake-like disasters, while Vargas prayed for an end to political bickering in the country, referring to an ongoing feud between the president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and the vice president, Sara Duterte.
“We pray that Jesus Nazareno would touch both of them,” Vargas said.
CBCP News reported that suthorities said the procession also left four people dead, with about 1,700 others needing medical care for injuries and exhaustion.
