Devotees of Black Nazarene venerate image in Bohol town church

Devotees venerate the image of the Black Nazarene which was brought to the Our Lady of Assumption Shrine in Dauis town in Bohol. (Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas)

TAGBILARAN CITY — Devotees from different parts of Bohol flocked to the Our Lady of Assumption Shrine-Parish Church in Dauis town to see and venerate a replica of the Black Nazarene image.

The image of the Black Nazarene carrying the cross arrived in Bohol on Saturday.

A motorcade was made from the Bohol-Panglao International Airport going to the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran City where the image was received by Bishop Alberto Uy of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

According to Uy, the replica of the image of the Black Nazarene was given as a gift by the Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila for the 80th canonical anniversary of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

The image was then brought to the Our Lady of Assumption Shrine where it will temporarily stay until the church is finished.

Some devotees clad in the iconic yellow and maroon colors of the Black Nazarene gathered at the church to seek the intercession of the Black Nazarene for a healthier life and family protection.

But before they could enter the church, youth volunteers had to check their body temperatures.

Physical distancing is also strictly observed, allowing only five to 10 devotees by batch to give them time to pray and take photos. Devotees were not allowed to kiss and touch the image to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

One of the devotees was Teresita Besira, 45, who traveled from Guindulman town with her grandchildren.

Like fellow devotees, Besira believed in the Black Nazarene which represents the suffering Christ.

“The Black Nazarene gives us health and happiness in our family,” she said.

The arrival of the image was also welcomed by Sister Precy–a missionary, visionary and divine healer.

“The image of the Black Nazarene helps to deepen our faith in Jesus because that is the final image of Jesus in giving his whole life to save all mankind, ” said Sister Precy who also introduced the devotion to the Black Nazarene in Bohol a decade ago.

The Black Nazarene is considered the most popular image of Jesus Christ, an object of devotion in the Philippines after the Sto. Niño.

The original image in Quiapo is of dark wood carved by Spanish friars around the 16th century in Mexico. It was brought to the Philippines in 1606.

/MUF