HONG KONG (SE): St. Joseph’s Church, Garden Road, celebrated the Feast of the Black Nazarene, or the Jesús Nazareno, with an outdoor procession on January 11. For the first time, the Filipino community in Hong Kong re-enacted the traditional procession held in Manila every year on January 9.
Millions of barefoot devotees gather every year in Manila, the capital of the Philippines from late December to catch a glimpse of the centuries-old wooden Black Nazarene image, first carved in Mexico and brought to the country in the early 17th century. The devotion is believed to bring miracles and healing to the faithful, drawing both local and international pilgrims.
While processions had been held in previous years, the official, large-scale city-wide procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, also known as Quiapo Church, began in 2007 to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the image. This event attracts millions of devotees and is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
This large-scale procession is known as the “traslación”, meaning “passage” or “movement” in Spanish. It is a re-enactment of the transfer of the statue of Jesus Christ from San Nicolas de Tolentino Church, within the walled city of Intramuros, to Quiapo Church in 1787. The event is renowned for its intensity, with devotees striving to touch the image in hopes of receiving blessings.
The celebration at St Joseph’s Church was organised by the Sons and Daughters of the Black Nazarene. The parish community was formed a few years after the arrival of a life-sized replica of the Black Nazarene at the parish in 2020, as a gift from Quiapo Church to support pastoral care for Filipino migrants in Hong Kong.
The replica is one of only a handful outside the Philippines, serving as a focal point for community gatherings and religious events.
A novena kicked off the celebration, followed by the traslación. Initially, the statue was carried by members of the Eucharistic ministry from the side of the altar in St. Joseph’s Church. Later, it was taken over by the Sons and Daughters of the Black Nazarene, who walked barefoot around the parish compound carrying the image.
The group, with over 100 members, chanted “Viva Poong Hesus Nazareno” [Long live the Lord Jesus Nazarene] as they waved brown handkerchiefs adorned with the image, expressing their deep faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene. The act of walking barefoot symbolises humility and solidarity with the suffering of Christ.
The participants finally stopped at the parish’s carpark, where Divine Word [SVD] Father Jerry Perocho celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass and blessed attendees with holy water.
The programme for the feast began at 4.00pm with an opening prayer led by parish priest, Father Joseph Tan Leitao, SVD, who highlighted the glorious cross of Jesus and urged those present to humbly admit their sins.
The event was marked by the participation of Rosemarie Torres and over 10 other representatives from the Department of Education, Division of Cavite in the Philippines, dedicated to promoting the devotion.
In her message, Torres shared her own devotion and honoured the sacrifice and resilience of Overseas Filipino Workers.
Various community groups then presented dances, showcasing their devotion to Jesus Christ.
