President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged Filipino Catholics to find a new meaning in their passions and sufferings as people.
In his message, Marcos said he is one with all Filipino Catholics in the Philippines in celebrating today’s Feast of the Black Nazarene.
“Today, we mark the arrival of the image of Nuestro Padre Señor Jesus de Nazareno from its original location in Intramuros to its current home in Quiapo, Manila,” he said.
“Let us take this highly-anticipated religious tradition as a symbolic movement of our collective earthly journey, finding new meaning in our passions and sufferings as people,” he added.
Last week, Marcos issued Proclamation No. 120, declaring the 9 January as a special non-working day in Manila in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
On Saturday, an estimated 88,000 devotees of the Black Nazarene participated in the “Walk of Faith”, which was held instead of the traditional Traslacion.
Marcos hopes that the image of the Black Nazarene may be able to touch the hearts of millions of Catholics in the Philippines to help one another during these trying times.
“May the image of Jesus Christ 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,” he said.
He added: “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. I wish everyone a safe, meaningful and solemn observance.”
This is the third consecutive year that the Traslacion or the annual procession to reenact the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from its original shrine in Intramuros to the Quiapo Church, won’t take place due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.