Sr. Mary Rose Reyes gives out champurrado to devotees of Jesús Nazareno who participated in “Pahalik” on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo from INQUIRER.net/JOHN ERIC MENDOZA)
MANILA, Philippines — After lining up for hours at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila where “Pahalik” was being held early Wednesday, some devotees of Jesús Nazareno were cheerfully enjoined by Sr. Mary Rose Reyes to eat some snacks.
“Brothers, sisters, please have some. This is delicious,” Reyes told the devotees who came in droves.
Most of the Nazarene followers accepted the champurrado with a lot of gusto.
Reyes is part of the Catholic congregation called Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus.
She is partaking in “caridad” which refers to the giving of refreshments and snacks to devotees during religious holidays like the Feast of Jesús Nazareno.
It is one of the most common ways of showing “panata” or a religious vow.
This devotion is also done by many common folks who have modest means.
READ: ‘Sisters of charity’ shows devotion to Black Nazarene through food-sharing
Wearing a white habit required of nuns, Reyes was assisted by maroon shirt-clad volunteers in giving out champurrados in the grandstand.
Devotees had been turning up at the grandstand nonstop since the beginning of the “Pahalik” on Monday.
“This champurrado is special. This is from the Nazarene,” Reyes told the grateful devotees.
She is referring to the life-sized, dark wooden image of Jesus Christ, clad in maroon clothing and carrying a True Cross.
The statue depicts the scene when Jesus Christ was en route to the Calvary for His crucifixion.
Reyes and a handful of volunteers started giving out champurrado before sunrise.
About two hours later, their supplies ran out, and they packed up.
READ: Nazareno 2025: ‘Pahalik’ starts ahead of schedule
More than a thousand devotees had a taste of the chocolate rice pudding from five large pots.
In the afternoon, Reyes said several hundred more devotees will be treated to Jollibee fast-food sandwiches for “merienda” from a sponsor.
Reyes noted that it was the first time a “caridad” was done at the grandstand.
Before this, she said their congregation had been conducting the activity in Quiapo Church, where they also ran soup kitchens for street dwellers on ordinary days.