For long-time devotees of Jesus Nazareno, age never becomes a barrier to their unwavering faith, as they continue to gather every January to express their devotion during the grand Feast of Jesus Nazareno, vowing to remain faithful as long as they live.
Long-time devotees of Jesus Nazareno: Jimmy, Benita, and Elizabeth. (Manila Bulletin)
Among the devotees are elderly, some of them are dealing with health issues. Despite these challenges, they remain steadfast in fulfilling the vow they made many years ago, showing that nothing can hinder their devotion.
Elizabeth, 56, a devotee for more than 20 years, shared that she has been a devotee since childhood. She was brought by her parents to the Quiapo Church when she had acute ulcers. Through their continued devotion, she was healed without surgery, and they consider it a miracle.
“Ah, kasi po ako acute po ako sa ulcer. Naalala ko po nung bata ako, para po 'yung nanay at tatay ko, doon nila inano na, mabuhay lang ako (Because I have an acute ulcer. I remember when I was a child, my mother and father used to pray for me, just hoping that I would survive)," she said.
“Iyon po, kaya simula po, since nag-aaral ako hanggang sa nakapag-asawa (namanata)… kasi po, unang-una, hindi po ako na-operahan. ‘Yun din po pinagpasalamat ng mga magulang ko [gumaling] kumbaga po, acute na, wala nang nakita, siguro po sa kakapanata, panata, panata… parang milagro, ganun po (I became a devotee since then, from the time I was still studying until I got married… because, first of all, I hadn't undergone an operation. That's also what my parents were thankful for [that I got better], as it was acute, but nothing was seen anymore. Maybe because of the continuous prayers. It was like a miracle, something like that),” she said.
Elizabeth also said that she will dedicate herself to Jesus Nazareno while she is alive and as long as He gives her strength.
“Siguro po, habang nabubuhay, habang binibigyan niya [ako] ng lakas. Habang may lakas mananatiling-mananatili po ko sa kaniya (Maybe, as long as I live, as long as He gives me strength. As long as I have strength, I will remain devoted to Him),” she said.
Jimmy, 63, a devotee for almost 38 years, said that he believed that Jesus Nazareno played a big part during his days as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the Middle East during the Gulf War in Iraq.
“Actually, malaking naitulong po sa akin [ng Nazareno] dahil sa edad ko ngayon, as in wala pa rin ako masyadong sakit na pumasok sa aking sarili. So, mas comfortable pa rin ako ng ganito parati (Actually, the Nazarene has been a great help to me because at my age now, I still don’t have much sickness in my body. So, I’m still more comfortable like this all the time)." he said.
“Dahil po sa kay Nazareno po. Saka nakauwi po ako ng ligtas. Noong Gulf War, nasa Iraq po ako. Actually, OFW po ako within 12 years sa Middle East. Buong Middle East. Kaya nakauwi po ako ng ligtas dahil din kay Jesus Christ (I believe that it was because of Nazareno that I was able to return home safely during the Gulf War, as I was in Iraq at that time. Actually, I worked as an OFW for 12 years in the Middle East. That’s why I was able to return home safely, thanks to Him),” he said.
Like Elizabeth, Jimmy will remain a devotee as long as he lives.
"Habang buhay po ako, siyempre. Kaya paniwala ko kasi kay Jesus Christ na siya pa rin ang the best para sa ating lahat (As long as I am alive, of course. I believe that Jesus Christ is still the best for all of us),” he added.
Meanwhile, some of them offer their devotion to Jesus Nazareno to show their gratitude for all the blessings in their lives.
Benita, 74, also a devotee for about 30 years, said she will be always grateful to Jesus Nazareno for all the blessings and answered prayers she never even asked for.
“Pasasalamat lang talaga. 'Yung mga blessings, 'yung mga nangyayaring problema. Ganun lang. Wala akong masabi sa Panginoon, binigyan niya ako ng lakas ng katawan, at may age, 74, nagsosolo dito, naglalakad, ‘yun lang po (I offer my devotion to the Nazarene as a way of showing my gratitude for the blessings and even the challenges that come my way. That’s it. I have nothing but praise for the Lord; He has given me strength. At 74 years old, I’m still walking alone here at the Grandstand. That’s all),” she said.
One of the things she is thankful to Jesus Nazareno is when she faced health issues in 2023 and was able to reduce the medications she has been taking for her three maintenance treatments.
“Kasama na 'yun [milagro]. Kasi mga answered prayer, minsan mayron, minsan wala. Pero bakit hihintayin mo yung prayer na hinihiling mo eh samantalang hindi mo pa naman hinihiling [yung iba] nandiyan na, dumating na ‘di ba? (Miracle is already a part of it. Some prayers are answered, sometimes yes, sometimes no. But why wait for the prayer you’re asking for, when, even before you ask, other things have already arrived, right?),” she said, adding that she will remain devoted to the Nazarene as long as she can.
Their unwavering devotion is a powerful testament to the strength of faith, showing that no challenge—be it age, illness, or hardship, can shake their commitment to Jesus Nazareno.