Testament of faith

TO commemorate the Feast of the Black Nazarene Monday, Jan. 9, some brave volunteers tried to secure the image of the Black Nazarene throughout the procession, while seven million maroon-clad devotees braved the streets of Manila hoping to touch, kiss or simply see the centuries-old image of Christ.
Housed at Quiapo Church in Manila, the iconic Black Nazarene image is said to have miraculously survived several disasters – including fires and earthquakes.
The only original part of the image paraded across the streets of the Philippine capital is the body as the original “head” is left at the altar of Quiapo church after it suffered cracks on the left cheek, when it was grazed by a bullet in the 1990s.
The last time the original image was brought out for procession was in 2007, during the 400th Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.
Believing that wiping a piece of cloth or just touching the image can wash away sins, cure illnesses or bring miracles, millions of Filipinos trooped to the Quirino Grand Stand and surrounding areas in Manila amid all the warnings.
Last Sunday, President Benigno Aquino III urged devotees to stay home, warning them of a possible terrorist threat may be a foot to disrupt the annual tradition. He said that suspected terrorists were reportedly “spotted” in the National Capital Region.
Despite earlier admonitions, many Filipinos still attended the celebration and paid homage to the patron’s image.
Many prayed for good health and fortune, while some wished for deliverance.
Some asked for a miracle, a few wanted to give thanks for the blessings of years past and others flocked to Manila to attest their faith.
Philippine police and military forces provided maximum safety and security to those who attended making this year’s observance one of the most peaceful and festive Feast of the Black Nazarene in years.
Attending the “traslacion” – the tortuous procession of the Black Nazarene from Rizal Park to Quiapo Church – has become more than just a tradition for most Filipinos. For most of its followers, the Feast of Black Nazarene is a manifestation of the Filipinos’ religious fervor, and a demonstration of how Filipinos can triumph through different adversities.
During the Holy Mass at Luneta, devotees were dared by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle to change their old ways and prove themselves as true followers of Christ.
“Do not come here to seek forgiveness and then after being ‘cleansed’ you just go back to your old ways,” he said in Filipino.
The prelate said it would be futile if one devotee would strive hard to touch the image of the black Christ but would just continue with his/her “sinful” life after the feast day.
He also criticized Filipinos’ penchant for having other gods such as money, power, fame and vanity.
Before he ended his sermon, he said it is only by doing away with these scenes can the people really be capable of rising after falling just like the Black Nazarene.
This year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene capped off yet another enchantingly vivid Filipino Catholic’s idea of it what it means to live in this world: to offer one’s self to God.
Religion holds a fundamental place in the life of most Filipino Catholics. It is central not as an abstract belief, but rather as a medium for experiences, rituals, ceremonies, and adjurations which provide continuity in life, structure in the community, and principled purpose for existence.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Jan 11-13, 2012 Sec A pg.6)