TODAY IS THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

by Romm Burlat

One of the greatest and biggest religious celebrations in the Philippines or even the world is the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Most Filipino Catholics consider the Nazarene statue to be miraculous, able to heal terminal cancers and other sicknesses, to grant petitions, and to help those in need.

"Every year on January 9, millions of Filipinos — newspaper reports say as many as 10 million1 — gather in Manila for a procession of the Black Nazarene, or Poong itim na Nazareno, a life-sized statue of a suffering Jesus fallen under the weight of the cross, along a 6.5 km route from Rizal Park to the minor basilica in Quiapo. 

The vigil started last night. People trooped to the Rizal Park  to wait for the "pahalik" where devotees kiss the cross or the foot of  Hesus Nazareno. Others put up some tents in the streets from Lawton to Quiapo to await this special day for the devotees of the Black Nazarene. 

During the vigil, people are singing, dancing or staging some plays. Priests deliver some messages encouraging wayward people to give up bad habits and vices and turn to doing some apostolic works.

"Early today, there will be an early mass for the translacion procession of the Black Nazarene from the Quiapo Church to the Rizal grandstand in a slow procession. Traditionally only men were allowed to be namamasan, the barefoot men who pull the wheeled carriage using two large ropes. Recently, though, women have also been allowed to pull the rope. The right side of the rope or the right shoulder was traditionally believed to be the most sacred side since it was the side on which Jesus bore the Cross."

During this special day, Filipinos walk barefoot, enduring the heat of the sun or rainshowers as a form of sacrifice for the devotees to bring their personal concerns and sufferings to the Nazarene.

Black Nazarene, forgive us our sins. Viva Hesus Nazareno!