Annual Nazarene feast highlights beginnings of 400-year-old image

The 400-year devotion of Filipinos to the Black Nazarene that has earned the support of two popes will be celebrated starting today with an overnight vigil at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park, culminating in the traditional procession tomorrow.

Organizers of the annual event said this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene is extra special, as it is dedicated to the beginning of this religious observance.

The Black Nazarene is the patron saint of Quiapo. Its statue shows a dark-skinned Jesus Christ carrying a cross that is believed to be miraculous.

Thousands of devotees are expected to take part in activities that begin today when the Black Nazarene is taken to the grandstand in a motorcade at around 5 p.m. A 10-minute fireworks display will mark the arrival of the image to be followed by a candle- lighting ceremony led by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The Nazareno 400 committee created by the Archdiocese of Manila, headed by Msgr. Josefino Ramirez, said the rites will be a reenactment of the arrival of the image in the country.

Augustinian Recollect missionaries brought the life-size image of Jesus Christ to Manila from Mexico on May 31, 1606.

Bishops and priests will then supervise penitential services, confessions, veneration of the image, and sharing of praise and worship that is expected to last until dawn tomorrow.

Organizers said they have coordinated with authorities in ensuring safety of the event so as to prevent untoward incidents during the procession. They hope the vigil at the Rizal Park, where devotees could get the chance to hold the image, would help prevent injuries or deaths among them.

Tomorrow, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will celebrate a High Mass at 6 a.m. in observance of the actual feast day of the Black

Nazarene. It will be followed by an agape, or sharing of food by devotees.

Two more Masses will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and 12 noon before the procession of the image starts from the Rizal Park back to Quiapo Church, which was declared a minor basilica of the Black Nazarene in 1787.

This procession will be a reenactment of the transfer of the image from Intramuros in Manila, where it was first housed — an event known to devotees as "translacion."

This uniquely Filipino devotion to the Black Nazarene merited the recognition of two popes: Innocent X, who issued in 1650 a Papal Bull canonically establishing the Confradia de Jesus Nazareno; and Pius VII, who granted in the 19th century indulgence to those who piously pray before the image of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo.

The image also providentially survived the great fires that destroyed Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929, the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863, and the destructive bombing of Manila in 1945 during World War 2.

The Archdiocese of Manila earlier announced the jubilee year celebration of the Black Nazarene from May 31, 2006 to June 1, 2007 with the theme "Jesus Nazareno: Kaganapan ng Buhay (John 10:10)."

As part of the quadricentennial celebration, a jubilee wall was also put up at the entrance gate of the Quiapo Church where devotees could post or write personal testimonials on their faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene.

A fund-raising drive for feeding programs is also being conducted in line with the celebration.

A total of 400 miniature replicas of the Black Nazarene are also being sculpted by famed wood carvers in Paete, Laguna and would be sold as collector’s items. Buyers of replicas would be given entries to the Nazareno raffle, whose winner will be sent to the Vatican to personally present to Pope Benedict XVI the first of the 400 images created, which was named "Kapatid."

Among those who placed early orders for the replicas was Vice President Noli de Castro, a known devotee of the Black Nazarene.

History of the Black Nazarene

Unknown to many, what is celebrated on Jan. 9 is neither the feast day of the Quiapo Church or of the Black Nazarene, but instead the transfer of the image from Intramuros. Still, it is considered one of the most spectacular religious events in the country.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees from all walks of life come to the district of Quiapo, the center of trade and commerce in Manila, to take part in the procession as a way of strengthening their faith or fulfilling their "panata" (vow) to the Lord.

The image was brought to Manila by the missionaries aboard a ship that caught fire. Though the image was burnt, people decided to preserve and honor it.

Since then, miraculous things have been reported to those who touch the image.

Traditionally, the celebration starts as the huge door of Quiapo Church opens and the image of the Black Nazarene is within sight. The ocean of devotees start to yell "Viva Señor!" while some wave white towels high in the air along with the scripture of the Black Nazarene.

The statue is placed in a gilded carriage for the procession. As the procession starts, participants garbed in maroon tops grab two long ropes and pull it to make the carriage move. Many will attempt to touch the image while some throw their handkerchiefs and towels in the air. People who join in the procession walk barefooted as a sign of humility.

The devotion to the Black Nazarene has been a long-time practice of Filipino Catholics. They believe that through their faith in Jesus Christ, there will be peace and harmony among families, long life and good health among people, deliverance from all calamities and disasters, and prosperity, joy and love among nations.