ALL roads lead to Quiapo Church today.
Tens of thousands of devotees will jam the streets around Quiapo district as the yearly rite and procession of the Black Nazarene will take place. Although women in the Philippines are generally more demonstrative of their piety than the men, the feast of the Black Nazarene is clearly a male bastion.
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The great majority, clad in the traditional maroon t-shirt printed with the image of a pathetic, suffering Christ, will walk barefooted; the men will jostle for position to pull the lengthy rope of the "carro."
Why does the feast continue to attract a huge crowd of men every year?
Most devotees interviewed claim they have a "panata" (vow) to join the procession annually. To break the vow is believed to bring misfortune or miss God’s blessings for themselves and their families.
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Others believe that by touching a part of the highly revered image, they are either blessed or obtain healing or their sins are forgiven. Those who cannot touch the image of the Señor Nazareno while on procession throw towelettes to those manning the carro to be wiped on the image, then are thrown back.
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Another reason advanced for the strong appeal of the feast is the Filipinos’ penchant devotion to the suffering Christ. In his book, Discipleship for Filipinos, Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. explains that Filipinos are devoted to the suffering image of Christ, mainly because they feel they are wrongly punished by natural calamities every year.
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God allows the Filipino people to suffer so that they may share in the eventual redemption of humankind.
The phenomenal devotion to the Black Nazarene, no doubt, shows the strong, vibrant piety of Filipinos. But perhaps what bears examining is that such pious acts should have a deeper internal effect on daily life, meaning, they should be translated in deeds, otherwise they are merely external ritual.
What I mean is that if afterwards devotees go home and continue to be unkind, harsh, and unjust to their fellowman or make "
kurakot" (ill-gotten wealth), their pious acts are meaningless, indeed.
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This is illustrated in the following story: In the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) when the table officials call out Nelson Asaytono, he runs to the court and makes the Sign of the Cross.
They call out Noli Locsin and likewise makes the Sign of the Cross. They call out Dindo Pumaren and also makes the Sign of the Cross. Finally, they call out a player who’s notorious for rough playing, he makes the Sign of the Cross – but the people make a double Sign of the Cross!
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Forms of piety, like the devotion to the Black Nazarene, are good Catholic traditions indeed. They are a way of sustaining and nurturing the faith of the people. But there is a need to bridge the gap between pious devotions and day-to-day life and conduct.
"Lord Jesus, the Black Nazarene, we love and revere you. Bless the Filipino people with peace, unity and prosperity! Amen."
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JOKE ONLY. Judge: For turning your wife into a punching bag, you’re fined
R5,500!
Accused: What’s the
R550 for? Judge: That’s for amusement tax.
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CONGRESS. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my statement that half of the congressmen are asses. Half of them are not asses.
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A Christian is one who feels repentance on Sunday for what he did throughout the week. To church on Sunday, to hell on Monday!
INVEST IN ETERNAL LIFE
. You won’t bring your riches with you to the next life. So, invest them for eternal life now.
Do it by chipping in or sponsoring a poor seminarian’s schooling. Make donation payable to "Adopt a Seminarian" c/o Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD, St. Jude Parish, 1420 J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila.
For inquiries, call tel: 735-9176 or 734-3704. E-mail: belsvd@skyinet.net
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GOD BLESS –
the latest donors to "Adopt a Seminarian" scholarship program: Hortenze SWING, Cal., USA; Emy YANEZ; Claire BIBAT, Marikina Heights; Jaime CAGATAN & Family, Sta. Mesa, Mla; JUDGEE BOY, Marikina; Alejandro ALMOJUELA, Marikina; Charlito-Lilian GAVIOLA, P’nque City; Fely JAENA, Commonwealth Q.C.; Gil PALAFOX, Tarlac; Cora COLANTES, Anonymous.
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GOD, WHO IS NEVER OUTDONE IN GENEROSITY, REWARD YOU A HUNDRED-FOLD.
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DZMM Radio – "God’s Message on the Tsunami Tragedy" will be the topic for discussion in our Sunday radio program "Salitang Buhay" at 8-9:30 tonight on DZMM, ABS-CBN 630 kHz.
Tune in.
