Another two million people participated today in the classic event, one of the largest and most popular of the Philippine Church, in the capital. The statue enclosed in a glass case, to protect itself from the attack of the crowd. The first birthday without any particular restrictions, after the closures and restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
Manila (AsiaNews) – Up to two million faithful took part today in Manila in the procession of the “Black Nazarene”, 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 centenary statue in wood of Christ.
Every year, the transfer of the sacred sculpture from the original site, the Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, in the parish of Quiapo, in the capital, concludes a novena (December 31 – January 9) and has the great participation of the faithful in prayer. Ask for a grace or a miracle.
For the past three years, the festival has suffered cancellations or been scaled back to a smaller scale due to the Covid-19 pandemic; That is why the current edition represents another moment of birthday celebration and revives the bond of the faithful with Jesus who carries the cross.
The historic statue of the Black Nazarene, life-size and covered in glass to save the faithful as in the past, parades in procession through downtown Manila after a mass celebrated at dawn.
An occasion of great religious and votive importance that shows the close link between faith, society and tradition. This year, the government has deployed more than 15,000 security guards and medical personnel along the route to respond to emergencies.
Two million faithful took part in the (slow) journey to the church of Quiapo, according to the first unofficial estimates: among other people it is not uncommon to pay homage to the statue, which has “magical and healing” powers, so much so that it would be enough to touch it – hence the choice to lock it up in a shrine, to suffer wounds – to cure incurable diseases or to attract the favors of fate.
Father Hans Magdurulang, spokesman for the 2024 edition of the Nazarene, told AsiaNews that since the early hours of the morning there were already more than 1. 3 million faithful, the maximum of them “barefoot”.
Dori Hael Marquez, mother of two young children, says she has been a “devotee” of the Black Nazarene “for decades. I have continually received miracles from Him.” She is echoed by Mavic Duque, mother of six grown children, who confides: “Thank you very much, our beloved Lord Jesus of Nazareth, for your blessings upon us and for our salvation in daily life. You will always guide us. Viva Nuestra Jesus Nazarene”.
Luzviminda Parada, a private sector employee, adds: “In the midst of a colorful sea of devotees, the Feast of the Black Nazarene unfolds as a hard feast of faith, unity and the enduring spirit that unites us on this sacred journey. . »
In the Philippines, more than 82 percent of the approximately 110 million people are Catholic. Among religious celebrations, the “Black Nazarene” procession is among the most prominent and popular.
The statue depicts Jesus bending under the weight of the Cross. He was brought to Manila by a Spanish Augustinian priest in 1607 aboard a shipment from Mexico. According to tradition, the ship got stuck in the chimney during the voyage, but the symbol of Christ miraculously escaped from the chimney. by turning black. In the past, a Filipino prelate, Archbishop Sabino Vengco, said the dark color is similar to the use of mesquite wood.
The procession commemorates the first movement of the statue, which took position on January 9, 1767. Along the seven-kilometer route of the Translation, which lasts several hours, devotees gather to touch or kiss the sculpture as a sign of devotion, creating huge masses. meetings. For this reason, in recent years, the occasion has been cancelled or has been subject to heavy restrictions in terms of procession and public health.
Another two million people participated today in the classic event, one of the largest and most popular of the Philippine Church, in the capital. The statue locked in a glass case, to protect itself from the attack of the crowd. The first birthday without any particular restrictions, after the closures and restrictions imposed during the pandemic.