‘TOL VIEWS
Millions of devotees are joined in prayer and adoration as we celebrate today the annual Feast of Jesus Nazareno. Converging from various parts of the country and from all walks of life, devotees painstakingly join the Traslacion, bringing their heartfelt yearnings to our dear Señor Nazareno and hoping that their prayers will find fulfillment in Him.
The story of Jesus Nazareno began in the 17th century, when a Spanish priest brought the statue from Mexico to the Philippines. Folk tradition attributes the dark color of the statute 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. Many people began visiting the church to offer prayers to Señor Nazareno and to ask for blessings and healing. The devotion to Jesus Nazareno grew so large that a grand procession, which we know today as the Traslación, was organized to take place on Jan. 9 every year.
The statue of Jesus Nazareno, which depicts Jesus Christ carrying the cross, is considered by many to be miraculous and is believed to possess the grace of healing. Devotees endure the long and unimaginably crowded journey with Señor Nazareno believing that joining in His passion will gain for them the deliverance they seek. The Feast of Jesus Nazareno is one of the most important religious celebrations in the Philippines which, over time, has gained historical and cultural significance.
Traslacion 2025 is expected to pull 6.5 million devotees, hence the tedious preparations for the procession which began as early as the ending months of 2024. Devotees carrying replicas of the statue and other religious items bearing the face of Señor Nazareno will again march through the streets of Quiapo, praying and singing hymns, in all faith and devotion to Jesus Nazareno’s power to answer prayers, even the most hopeless ones. The procession is expected to last for several hours as the people will surely make attempts to touch the blessed image, or at the very least have their handkerchief or any piece of clothing rubbed the Jesus Nazareno. Traffic and security along the route of the procession will surely be challenged but I am certain that measures to address the various scenarios have been firmly placed.
The Feast of Jesus Nazareno is not only a religious observance, but it is also a cultural event that brings people together in the spirit of faith and hope. It is a testament to the loyalty and undying devotion of the Filipino people to Señor Nazareno. The Feast of Jesus Nazareno is an event that is deeply-rooted in history and culture — one that will continue to show the world the unique bond of Filipino piety and how we continue to be united by a shared strand of spirituality.