Without fail, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life will troop to the Quiapo Church this Saturday to catch a glimpse of the revered and age-old Black Nazarene during the traditional annual procession.

Even before the procession could start, a sea of people literally forms around the venerated image, and pandemonium ensues—driven by the devotees’ unrelenting aspiration to touch the Black Nazarene, even just its robe, hoping for a miracle to cure their illnesses or change their lives for good.

Called the Nuestro Padre de Jesus Nazareno, the wooden Christ sculpture is reportedly the opus of an unidentified Mexican artisan who chose to fashion the image in a dark, mulatto-like hue, similar to his skin color. Reports said that it was handed over to a Recollect priest, and was brought to the Philippines from Mexico across the Pacific Ocean on a galleon.

The image arrived in Manila on May 31, 1606, and was referred to as the Black Nazarene since it turned darker upon arrival in the country because of strong winds that rocked the boat throughout its journey.

Veneration to the Nazarene started way back when the image was still in Intramuros and when confraternity (Confraternity of Our Lord Jesus of Nazareth) was established because of it in 1621.

Soon, extreme devotion to the Nazarene spread among the people of Manila. Because of this, in 1650, Pope Innocent X pontifically authorized the confraternity with a Papal Bull. Pope Pius VII, meanwhile, gave his blessing in the 19th century by granting plenary indulgence to those who religiously pray before the image of the Nazarene.

Interestingly, the Black Nazarene is not the patron saint of Quiapo Church but St. John the Baptist. What is celebrated on January 9 is not the actual feast of the parish or the Black Nazarene but the commemoration of the traslacion.

According to the Rev. Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio, current Quiapo Church parish priest, the traslacion refers to the transfer of the Nazareno from Intramuros to Quiapo in 1787.

In the past years, this five- or six-hour procession starts out from the church to the crammed streets of Quiapo and back to the church again. However, there was a change in the route of the procession last year. The procession began at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, going through wider roads and streets towards the church. This year, it will also start at the grandstand.

Since Luneta is proximate to the old home of the relic in Intramuros, the church then is staying faithful to tradition, said Msgr. Ignacio.

“Dumarami na ang mga deboto kaya ang nais lang din namin ang kanilang kaligtasan dahil mas maluwag na ang daraanan ng prusisyon,” he added.

Many Filipinos said the image of the Black Nazarene—clad in a maroon dress-robe, crowned with thorns, and carrying a big wooden cross—has impacted their burden-stricken lives. These believers and the mamamasan, even (barefooted carriers of the Nazarene during procession) continue to dedicate their lives to the image no matter the odds are.

Despite the suffocating heat, bodily pain, physical discomfort, or even death that by and large accompanies the yearly procession of the Nazarene, the devotees’ loyalty to the image persists and shows no signs of waning.

“It’s really a mystery if we talk about God’s grace and presence and how God moves. Mahirap ipaliwanag, pero nakikita natin na nangyayari ang ganitong
klase ng debosyon at ‘yung fervor ng mga Pilipino sa Nazareno,” shared Msgr. Ignacio.

Perhaps what endeared the Nazareno to the Filipinos, besides His dark color, is His pitiful semi-kneeling position while bearing a cross on His back, his eyes expressing the excruciating pain He suffers while maintaining a tough composure all the same.

“Our country has suffered so much from the time of the Spaniards up to the wars and the dictatorship. Until now, Filipinos are still suffering and are a poor people. Malakas ang debosyon natin sa Nazareno because we can identify with His image,” Msgr. Ignacio said.

“Makikita natin sa Black Nazarene is that even though He is carrying a cross, His upper torso is standing upright, as if He’s trying to stand up…na para bang kahit mahirap ang buhay at kahit madapa, tatayo pa rin ako. Ganoon din ang mga Pilipino... resilient and hopeful.”

Another aspect of the resiliency of the 17th century icon has been proven countless times — when it survived numerous fires and earthquakes and remained unscathed while the whole of Quiapo was leveled by bombs during World War II.

While some may assume the devotion to the Nazareno as bordering on pure fanaticism, others would tell that their connection to the icon is real. In fact, a number of devotees have already attested to this, revealing personal encounters with the Nazarene.

“Devotees come to us and say that they have dreamed of the Nazarene in many instances,” Msgr. Ignacio disclosed.

“Sinasabi nga nila na tinatawag sila, nagpapakita sa kanila, at nagpaparamdam sa kanila. Iinimbitahan sila na pumunta sa Quiapo.”

Msgr. Ignacio also said that the priests who celebrate mass in the church are encouraged and touched by the confessions of the devotees such as their own experiences of conversion and of healing.

“Saka kapag nag-misa ka dito, makikita mo ‘yung lalim ng partisipasyon ng mga devotee,” he related. “Ako personally marami ang nagpapadasal sa akin. Kapag dito ka nagdasal sa Quiapo, ang bilis ng sagot. Babasahin ko pa lang ‘yung text message ng mga nagpapadasal, nagte-text na ulit sila sa akin at sasabihin ‘Maraming Salamat, Father.’ Nasagot na ang dasal kahit hindi ko pa nababasa ‘yung text message.

“And I have also seen a lot of miraculous healings like people who were cured from cancer, among others,” the rector added.

Finally, Msgr. Ignacio acknowledged that the fervent devotion of the Filipinos may also be attributed to the “strong presence of our Lord in the shrine.”

“We are anticipating that the devotion of the Filipinos has grown deeper. We have been very strong in our efforts of providing value formation of our members. We have reached out to the people more and even to the mamamasan. We have met with them and encouraged them to undergo recollections. Unti-unti na ‘yung evangelization.”

Now more than ever, Msgr. Ignacio shared that he and the rest of the Quiapo Church officials are also counting on a swell in the number of Nazarene followers.

“Maraming natural disasters at krisis na pinagdaanan ang bansa noong nakaraang taon kaya mas darami pa ang magiging deboto,” he said.

Msgr. Ignacio further explained that the church’s message to the Filipinos coincides with this year’s theme of the traslacion: “Tunay na Deboto, Matuwid at Masunuring Katiwala ng Poong Hesus Nazareno.”

“Bakit sinabing masunurin? Because we were saved through obedience. Niligtas tayo ng Panginoong Hesukristo sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod Niya sa kalooban ng Kanyang ama. What will really save us is our obedience. A lot of the problems that we are experiencing in the country today are due to our lack of obedience to God. We are rebelling against Him,” he said. “Sana mahalin natin ang mga batas ng Diyos at maging masunurin tayo sa Kanya.”