Overwhelming Devotion to the Nazareno

Year after year I watch in wonderment as devotees of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo fulfill their vow or "panata" to the miraculous image...



Notwithstanding the heat and the crowd, the devotees flock to the image, some even try to climb the carroza in the hopes of touching the image or at least wiping their towel on the miraculous image...either for intentions yet to be granted or in thanksgiving for prayers answered...



In the online community it seems everyone has an opinion regarding whether or not this kind of devotion is correct. I on the other hand think that this is not a question of how a person displays his or her belief (and whether this display is right or wrong) but rather how deep is his or her faith in God? If a devotee truly believes in God and by participating in this procession that devotion grows deeper like the scene in the Bible when a sick woman touched the hem of Jesus' clothing "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed (Mark 5:28)" then my answer would be yes it is right and justifiable...sometimes we just need to be touched, to feel a special encounter with God and to savor that precious moment...

But if the devotion stems from tradition just because it is the custom of a family or group, and the encounter does not bear fruit as demonstrated by a conversion of heart (only a believer in that fleeting moment when the image was touched) then I think an opportunity is lost...in this instance I would say that the practice is wrong for the Lord will not judge us favorably because we were able to annually attend His procession, instead he will look at our works, our deeds...how we loved, forgave and showed mercy...how we listened to his Words and how we lived our lives...

Devotion such as processions are great because they encourage more devotions. They plant faith, spread faith and are effective visual means to bring God to those who need Him. But devotional activities are mere tools. They are not the bread of life. Jesus is! And where do you encounter him most...in the Holy Eucharist (something some devotees failed to realize when halfway through the mass they raced towards the image...in that moment it is very evident that their focus is to get near the image than to receive Christ...Note that the image is just a representation of Christ but in the Eucharist the bread becomes the flesh and the wine becomes the blood of Christ...through transubstantiation this becomes Christ something no image can ever become, not even the most beautiful nor the most venerated comes close). Let us also not forget that God is omnipresent, he is also your brother, your father, your mother...he is also the people who need most help, the beggars, the victims of tragedies and calamities...that is why the Catholic faith is truly difficult to live...it is not measured just by words and mastery of the law and what the bible states...it is a way of life, and the best demonstration of our faith is through love and charity. I remember another striking passage in the New Testament, Jesus said that when we pray and when we fast it should be in a private manner, with only God as our witness; those who "make a show" out of their faith will get their just reward, yes but nonetheless be seen as hyprocrites...

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..." ~Matthew 6:5-15

I just hope and pray that after the procession, the encounter with God through the image of the Black Nazarene bears fruit for those who participate and fulfill their vows and for those who are watching in the comforts of their home...

So going back to the question, is it right? Only the individual can tell if his or her show of devotion is right or wrong...


Nothing has changed through the years...if not the devotion to the Black Nazarene has grown exponentially...I hope to see the image in a more organized and orderly procession...a well loved image such as the Nazareno deserves more...I hope the devotees realize this...and this includes joining the procession sober!


Encounter with the Black Nazarene...in person, in art and in GMA 7's special coverage...

The Old but New Tradition of The "Dungaw"

Organizers of the Nazareno Fiesta have decided to bring back the Dungaw tradition which according to them are based on archives, documentations of the old Fiesta celebrations. Dungaw is basically the image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel being brought out in the balcony of San Sebastian to "view or meet" the image of the Black Nazarene, a reenactment of some sorts of the sorrowful meeting of Mary and Jesus on the way to Calvary...(the only odd thing though is, the Image of Mt. Carmel holds an infant Jesus in her hands...should that be removed?)

Since I was at work, I had to be contented listening to the radio as reporters try to describe the Dungaw as it happens, I so want to be there...their reports paint a beautiful tradition, a holy but heart wrenching moment, an appeal to the Filipinos' love of their mothers and awe in Jesus' unconditional love and sacrifice for our salvation.

Here's the report from Saksi: