‘Traslacion 2024’


TOL VIEWS

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More than 2.8 million devotees of the Poong Nazareno flocked Quiapo Church last Tuesday as the entire nation celebrated the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene. Their journey with Señor Nazareno was a grueling, yet faith-filled, grace-filled, 15 hours. The traslacion, as it has always been, remains the Filipino nation’s strongest expression of faith and unity with Christ’s suffering for the salvation of humanity and the glory of God.

The story of the Black Nazarene began in the 17th century, when a Spanish priest brought the statue from Mexico to the Philippines. The statue of the Black Nazarene, which is already four centuries old, depicts Jesus Christ carrying the cross, is considered by many to be miraculous, and is said to bear healing powers. 

The feast, which takes place on Jan. 9 of every year, is one of the most important religious observances in the Philippines, and has a rich history and cultural significance, alongside of course the celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño in Cebu and the feast of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia in the Bicolandia.

It has been said that folk tradition attributes the dark color of the statute due to the smoke and soot from the candles that were used during its transport on a ship. After the statue arrived in the Philippines, it quickly gained a reputation for being miraculous. Soon, many people began visiting the church to see it and to ask for blessings and healing. In time, the devotion to the Black Nazarene grew so large that a grand procession, which they called the traslacion, was organized to take place every year on Jan. 9.

The traslacion is a grand religious and cultural event that is attended by millions of people from all over the Philippines, and is considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Because of the pandemic, the traslacion was not allowed in the recent years due to health protocols and considerations on public health and safety. Faith, however, shall have to find deep expression, and so the journey of Señor Nazareno was once again relived. The procession started at the Quirino Grandstand at 4:45 a.m., went through several streets in Quiapo, before returning to the Quiapo Church at around 7:45 p.m.

The feast of the Black Nazarene is not only a religious observance. Through the years, it has transformed into a cultural expression of faith that brought people from all walks of life together in a journey of repentance, of prayer, of sacrifice and of following the life of Jesus Christ. It is an expression of faith and is a testament to the loyalty and devotion of the Filipino people to our beloved Ñuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene takes deep roots in the history and culture of Filipinos. The traslacion is a journey where no race, no color, no gender or status is recognized. Everyone is a patient pilgrim, joining Christ Jesus in the journey towards salvation and glory. May the grace and blessings of our Poong Nazareno keep us always firmly anchored on the spirit of Christ's passion and death as we continue to journey as a people and as a nation.