follow Christ, not the spirit of the world

For the first time, the anniversary, one of the most important religious events in the Philippines, was a national holiday. In his homily, the archbishop of Manila highlighted the relationship between life and hope, with Jesus “reversing” the perspective. For Catholics, the Nazarene is the “expression and testimony of faith.”

Manila () – “Trust and follow Jesus.” This is the invitation issued by Card. Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, during the homily of the Mass concelebrated today with the bishop-elect of Balanga Mons. Rufino C. Sescon Jr. and with the emeritus Mons. Antonio Tobias and Mons. Teodoro Bacani Jr. on the anniversary of the ‘Black Nazarene‘. A national holiday for the first time, after the Philippine Conference of Bishops (CBCP) voted for its approval, the service was an opportunity to exhort the faithful to shun worldly desires, vices and temptations, seeking full fulfillment in Christ.

The festival is one of the most important events for the Church in the Philippines, the only country with a Catholic majority in Asia and linked to the 100-year-old wooden statue of Christ. Every year, the transfer of the sacred sculpture from its original location, the church of San Nicolás de Tolentino, to the parish of Quiapo, in the capital, concludes a novena (December 31-January 9) attended by millions of people to ask for a personal grace or a miracle. The life-size statue of the Black Nazarene, covered in glass to prevent worshipers from climbing as in the past, parades in a procession through the heart of Manila after a mass celebrated during the night. An event with a strong spiritual and votive meaning, which reveals the close link between faith, society and tradition.

In his homily, Card. Avincula highlighted how Christ disrupted the relationship between life and hope, affirming the principle that ‘as long as there is hope, there is life.’ We have hope,” the cardinal continued, “because Jesus of Nazareth is still alive […] in our hearts, around us, and lives with us. Let’s not kill each other anymore […] “Let us live with hope in Jesus.” The second invitation is to “follow Jesus,” who “obeyed the will of God the Father until death, because Jesus loves the Father.” «If we are truly devout, if we love the Lord Jesus of the Nazarene, let us be obedient to him. Let us imitate him, who is obedient to God until death,” he concluded, because “obedience is a sign of hope. What we follow is exactly what we hope for.”

According to ecclesiastical sources, more than 230,000 devotees were present at the start of the procession at 4 in the morning. The Episcopal Conference approved the designation of January 9 as “National Day of Jesus Nazarene” during its 126th plenary assembly. The theme chosen for this year’s edition was “Obedience is better than sacrifice for those who trust in Jesus” and is taken from the first book of the prophet Samuel (15:22).

Catholics from different social classes participated in the activities, reflecting their faith and unity together with the millions of faithful throughout the country, while 14,000 police officers and plainclothes agents ensured the safety of the services. Interviewed by , Jenesis Robredo, father of four young children, said he participated in the annual religious activities of the Nazarene because “they are a source of many blessings for my life and for my family”, both “in the joys and in the sorrows.” of everyday life. Another devotee, Maria Joy Samantha Reys, mother of two, added: “The Feast of the Nazarene is an expression and testimony of faith” to share with others.

In the Philippines, more than 82% of the approximately 110 million inhabitants are Catholic. Among religious celebrations, the “Black Nazarene” procession is one of the most famous and popular. The statue represents Jesus bent under the weight of the Cross. It was brought to Manila by a Spanish Augustinian priest in 1607 aboard a ship from Mexico. According to tradition, the ship caught fire during the voyage, but the image of Christ miraculously escaped the fire by turning black.

In the past, a Filipino prelate, Monsignor Sabino Vengco, stated that the dark color is related to the use of mesquite wood. The procession commemorates the first transfer of the statue, which took place on January 9, 1767. Throughout the entire route (seven kilometers) of the transfer, which lasts several hours, the faithful come to touch or kiss the sculpture as a sign. of devotion, which creates large crowds. For this reason, in recent years the event has been canceled or has been severely restricted in terms of prevention and public health, especially during the most acute phase of the pandemic. Covid-19 pandemic.