Black Nazarene devotion mirrors faith and hope
Every year, the Feast of the Black Nazarene never fails to bring tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the country from all walks of life to its procession. This is the largest religious festival in the country which is held on January 9 every year. Last year, the festivities started already the day before with a night vigil at the Quirino Grandstand at
The procession started way back in the 17th century when thousands of men would parade the streets with the centuries-old, life-size black wooden statue of Jesus (of Nazarene), knelt down under the weight of the cross. For more than 200 years, the statue has been placed on a gilded carriage every January and pulled through the streets of Quiapo by male devotees dressed in maroon. People who touch the Nazarene were reported to have been healed of diseases. Because of this, thousands of religious followers try to get close enough to touch the image and perhaps receive a miracle. They also throw towels to the people guarding the statue and ask them to rub the towel on the statue in hopes of carrying some of that power away with them.
The Black Nazarene statue is said to come from
In the book of Matthew Chapter 9, verses 19-22 (King James Version of the Bible), we read, “. . . And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touch the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour”. In another version, we also read, “Jesus immediately recognized healing power had gone out from him, he turned to her and told her to take courage because her faith had healed her”.
There have been recorded miracles of healing after devotees touched the statue of the Black Nazarene, or even the rope that is hoisted to move it, hence the large throng of people that converge every year. But there also have been reported deaths and injuries every year during the processions, which we hope will not happen again tomorrow.
Whether it is faith on a living God or a statue, may these stories of great faith and miracles encourage us and make us stronger to battle the storms of life.
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