Nazarene devotion reveals Filipino identity, something to be proud of—priest

A CATHOLIC priest on Tuesday said the significance and the mystery as to why millions of devotees gather every year in a long-day procession of a cross-bearing Christ can be traced to the faith and identity of Filipinos as a people.

Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector and parish priest of the Quiapo Church said the annual Black Nazarene procession is an event that “we can be proud of as Filipinos.”

Defending Nazareno participants from criticisms that devotion has turned to idolatry amid the chaos in the procession throughout the years, Coronel said people, including him, should understand where the devotees are coming from.

”Ako’y nagtataka bakit napakaraming tao dito sa Quiapo… bakit milyun-milyon ang nagsisiksikan? Kasi meron talaga silang kaugnayan sa ating Poong Hesus Nazareno… meron talagang kakaiba, at ito’y matatagpuan sa kung ano tayo bilang Pilipino,” Coronal said in a press conference at the Pope Benedict building in Quiapo, Manila.

Coronel said the devotees’ relationship with the Black Nazarene was a personal one, noting that there were cases of miracles.

Asked about the behavior of the devotees during the procession, the parish priest said he and the church considered the participants as children that needed to be guided and nurtured along the way.

“Ako naman hindi naman ako nagse-sermon. Dinadaan nga natin sa pakiusap ito. Kailangan sa istilo ngayon, pakikiusapan, pakikibagayan, yearning with them, nurturing them, guiding them, being a father to them,” Coronel said.

“Parang paghubog ito eh, parang pamilya. Parang mga anak mo na rin ‘yan,” he added.

Church and government officials have ensured that security measures were in place and beefed up for the annual day-long procession, which is expected to draw millions of devotees throughout the country.