Nazareno 2024: Live Updates for The Feast of Black Nazarene
PRELUDE The Black Nazarene is brought to Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Saturday for the “pahalik,” which allows devotees to approach and touch, or dab hankies on the image, ahead of the massive Jan. 9 procession known as “traslacion.” —RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Devotees of the Black Nazarene were reminded on Monday morning that there is no other way to see Jesus but through the way of the cross.
Rev. Fr. Egay Doroteo of Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, popularly known as Quiapo Church, told devotees during an early Monday morning mass that the only way to glorify Jesus is by “carrying the cross.”
“Ang atin Poong Hesus Nazareno ang gusto nating makita, ang gusto nating maranasan. Pero walang ibang daan para makita mo si Hesus kundi ang daan ng krus,” said Doroteo.
(Our Lord Jesus Nazarene is what we want to see, what we want to experience. But there is no other way for you to see Jesus than the way of the cross.)
“Ano ang ibig sabihin? Ang krus na ibinigay ng Diyos sa ating lahat — mabigat o magaan, ay dapat nating mapagtagumpayan at madala natin sa Diyos nang may pag-asa at pag-ibig,” he added.
(What does that mean? The cross that God has given us all — heavy or light, we must overcome and carry to God with hope and love.)
Doroteo emphasized that asking, kneeling, and praying wouldn’t be enough. He said there is a need to “put on our shoulders and carry the mission that God has given to us.”
“We will lead the mission because we were baptized in the spirit and in the name of God. Let’s live the Christian life by uniting with our dear Lord — our Lord Jesus of Nazareth,” he added.
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is slated on Tuesday, January 9. Millions of devotees are expected to flock to Quiapo Church to join the Traslacion — which is set to return after being suspended for three consecutives times due to Covid-19 restrictions.