Tolentino on devotion to Nazarene: Faith unites, gives hopes to human existence
Independent senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino
Safety advocate Francis Tolentino joined millions of devotees to celebrate the feast of Black Nazarene whose miracles continue to enthrall people from all walks of life.
“Our Catholic faith brings us to one destination. We are here to express our gratitude to our beloved Nazareno for making the impossible possible,” said Tolentino as he and milllions of the faithful endure the country’s longest procession.
Tolentino said the ordeal is part of the devotion because the Nazarene “sees the commitment and unwavering faith of His flock.”
At least 10 million people are expected to take the centuries-old wooden image of the Black Nazarene from an overnight vigil at the Quirino Grandstand back to its humble abode at the Minor Basilica in Quiapo, Manila.
The devotees come from all over the country and each one carries a story of how the Nazarene healed or touched their lives.
“Their stories of miracles should strengthen our faith in God and enrich our lives,” he said.
Tolentino, who has been attending translacion for the last several years, urged his fellow devotee to follow the safety reminders laid out by the organizers and the Department of Health to prevent accidents.
According to sociology professor Josephine Aguilar-Placido, for a plain spectator who might brand steadfast devotees’ tear-jerking and breakdown behaviors as mere “fanaticism” and outright ridiculous, she said that it is all about expression of one’s faith.
“You can never question how people express their emotions. Some people cry, some would kneel from the entrance (of the church) to the altar and for them, this is one way of expressing their faith and love to their Creator,” she said.
“Now, we call this folk religiosity.”
Both devotion and fanaticism, according to Placido, have their own purposes, though devotion is more inclined toward religion.
