President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. encouraged the Catholic faithful to embody the values of Jesus Christ to usher the nation into an era of peace and prosperity.
In his message on the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, Marcos expressed hope that the image of Jesus Christ may "inspire us to center our existence around love, hope, and compassion as we open up ourselves to others and the world during these extraordinary times."
"Together, let us embody these values as we write a new chapter in our nation's narrative so we can altogether usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all," he said.
The President said he was one with all the Filipino Catholics in the Philippines in celebrating the highly-anticipated religious event yearly.
He further told the faithful to take the feast of the Black Nazarene as a "symbolic movement of our collective earthly journey, finding new meaning in our passions and sufferings as people."
He enjoined them to remember the feast's "deep rootedness" in the Filipino culture of overcoming the great trials and tribulations in our midst.
"Indeed, it is through our faith that we can conquer the storms that loom ahead of us and bring forth a life filled with grace and steadfastness," he said.
Marcos also wished everyone a "safe, meaningful, and solemn observance" although due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tradition of “Traslacion” and “Pahalik” will still not be held in this year’s celebration.
The chief executive, however, has still declared Jan. 9 a special non-working day in Manila to mark the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
READ: President Marcos encourages the Catholic faithful to embody the values of Jesus Christ to usher the nation into an era of peace and prosperity as the nation celebrates the Feast of the Black Nazarene today, Jan. 9. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/5rvbX2oC5l
— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) January 8, 2023