What is the Black Nazarene?
The Black Nazarene is a life-sized, dark wooden
sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying the cross, and is believed to be miraculous
by many Filipino Catholics. It is one of two such statues that arrived
from Mexico; the older and more popular copy belonging to the Recollects was
destroyed in Second World War during the Liberation of Manila in 1945.
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| The image is dressed in a maroon tunic, embroidered with floral or plant emblems in gold thread, and with lace trimmings on the collar and cuffs. A gold-plated metal belt embossed with the word "NAZARENO" encircles the image's waist, while a golden chain and ball loops around the neck and is held in its left hand, representing the Flagellation. The barefooted statue is in a genuflecting posture, symbolising the agony and heavy weight of the cross. |
History
The statue was made by an anonymous Mexican sculptor, and the image arrived in Manila via galleon from Acapulco, Mexico, sometime in the first decade of the 1600s. Folk tradition attributes the dark color of the statue to a fire on the ship that burned the original white skin.
The surviving image has been enshrined in the Minor Basilica for centuries, withstanding several fires, earthquakes and war. A common misconception among devotees is that this copy is the same as the lost image from the Church of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, which belonged to the Recollects in what is now Rizal Park outside Intramuros. The Quiapo image was available for physical veneration by devotees, while the Recollects always kept their copy above the retablo mayor (high altar) away from crowds.
The present-day statue enshrined in Quiapo Church is in fact a composite of the original head and a replica body, the latter sculpted by renowned Filipino Santero (saint-maker) Gener Manlaqui. A second composite statue of the original body and the Manlaqui replica's head is enshrined in a different location, emerging only for the three major annual processions. This arrangement began in the 1990s because of security concerns for the image; up to that point, the original image in its entirety was processed.
Tradition, Procession and Miracle of the Black Nazarene
Some of the usual
traditional celebrations of the feast usually observed in January were: 1. Pahalik (Kissing of the Image) - people line up to
kiss the foot of the Black Nazarene; 2. Pabihis (Dressing of the Image) - done
five times a year before major events; 3. Pasindi (Lighting of the Candles) -
accompanied with prayer intentions; 4. Bendisyon (Blessing of the Faithful) -
people catch the droplets of holy water during the blessings after the masses
There are three annual dates when the statue is brought out
of its shrine for public veneration: New Year's Day; 9 January; and Good
Friday. The procession on the 9 January feast commemorates the image's
Traslación (English: "passage" or "transfer"), or solemn
transfer to the Minor Basilica, and is the largest of the three.
The procession of the Black Nazarene is the
largest procession in the country.
It takes place on January the 9th and on Good
Friday through the streets of Quiapo, a small part of Metro Manila. The procession dates from the 17th century. During the procession of the Black Nazarene, many things occur. Thousands of men parade through the streets with the statue of the Black Nazarene. They carry the statue while being barefoot and yelling, "Viva Señor, while huge crowd tries to touch the statue. People who touch it are reported to sometimes be healed of diseases. Catholics come from all over Manila on the chance that they will be able to get close enough to touch the image and perhaps receive a miracle. They also throw towels to the police who guard the statue and ask them to rub the towel on the statue in hopes of carrying some of that power away with them.
Devotion or Covetousness?
Devotion and Covetousness, what does these words mean? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, devotion is a feeling of strong love or loyalty. On the other hand, the word covetousness means an envious eagerness to possess something.
A few
days ago the Feast of the Black Nazarene was held. I wasn't there during the
procession but I've heard so many news about this. I've found found out that
more than 1600 got hurt during the event. It saddens me that many Filipinos
were injured but knowing that how great their devotion is to the Black
Nazarene, to the point that they are willing to get hurt, made me euphoric. I
was amazed at their eagerness to touch the Black Nazarene.
I've also heard that many young people were in the event. I saw faces of people, who were in the event, on the television. It made me think, are these people participating in the event really devoted to the Black Nazarene or are they just showing covetousness? It's either they're devoted or they are just covetous for the miracle to happen in their life.
What I can observe in some people's belief is that the statue of the Black Nazarene is the one giving the miracles. Apparently, it should be the spirit of Jesus should reign supreme in the event and not the devotion to a particular statue. As time grows by, I can observe that the solemnity of the event is decreasing. Yes, there are people who are just being covetous, but I can also see that most people that are in the event are truly devoted to the Black Nazarene, to Jesus Christ.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nazarene
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/feature/2013/01/13/mystery-black-nazarene-262685
http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/culture4.htm
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/feast_of_the_black_nazarene.htm
