Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno de Quiapo - The hope of every Filipino

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno de Quiapo

Quiapo, Manila is arguably one of the most famous districts in Manila for many reasons, a melting pot of diverse cultures, the shops that pop around its streets that sell a plethora of times for personal and everyday use, the infamous crimes, and its hidden historic sites. But Quiapo is clearly identified for its famous patron – the famous image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, a centuries-old image of Our Lord Jesus Christ carrying the cross that attracts millions of devotees nationwide from all parts of the country, especially on Fridays and on its Feast every January 9 – one of the biggest in the country and its attendance numbers increases annually.

The Visage of the Lord of Quiapo

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno de Quiapo

The life-sized image of the Black Nazarene, which was carved by an anonymous Mexican artist sometime in the 17th century, depicts Jesus bearing the cross en route to his crucifixion. The statue derives its name from “Nazarene”, which is a title of Christ identifying him as being of Nazareth in Galilee, and from its very dark complexion uncommon among Philippine depictions of Jesus. The barefooted statue is shown in a genuflecting posture, symbolizing the agony and the weight of the cross with the pain Christ endured during his Passion. The statue bears a large, black cross of wood decorated with gilded brass caps on its ends.

The image sports a wig made of different fibers and wears a golden crown of thorns and the diagnostic “Tres Potencias” symbolizes the three offices of Christ: King, Priest, and Prophet, The other meaning to the Potencias are the powers of the Holy Trinity. These potencias are used to exclusively identify Christ in traditional Hispanic iconography. The image is dressed in a heavy velvet tunic of maroon, embroidered with floral or plant emblems in gold thread, and accented with lace trimmings on the collar and cuffs. Around its waist, a gold-plated metal belt embossed with the word “NAZARENO”, while a golden chain and ball looped around the neck and held in its left hand represents the Scourging. The image’s vestments are changed in the Pabihis rites which are performed by a priest and devotees a few times throughout the year in preparation for major religious occasions.

The beginning of the Nazareno devotion in Manila

The First image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of San Nicolas Church, Intramuros,
Manila which was unfortunately a casualty of the Second World War

Contrary to popular belief that is continuously perpetuated in the mainstream media, there wasn’t an exact date or year on when the devotion and the image of the Black Nazarene started and when the image arrived. Although the year 1606 was the commonly cited year of the image’s arrival, further studies would show otherwise since the Order of the Augustinian Recollects in the country affirms that they did not bring an image of the Nazareno in their first missionary voyage in 1606 and they only brought images of San Nicolas de Tolentino and Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa that was enshrined at the Old San Nicolas Church in Intramuros (both casualties of the Second World War).

Interestingly, Msgr. Jose Abriol, then Rector of Quiapo Basilica, also noted that the year 1606 was an estimate regarding the arrival of the Recollect Missionaries in the country, a misconception later clarified by subsequent research. However, one fact remains certain: the first Nazareno image was brought to San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Intramuros before April 20, 1651. This coincided with the establishment of the Cofradia de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, with approval from Pope Innocent X, where the existence of the Nazareno of Intramuros was documented.

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo with an encarna

The devotion to the Nazareno of Intramuros grew over the years until such time that another image was commissioned in Mexico which was kept at the Church’s sacristy. This image would eventually be known as the Nazareno of Quiapo. The sacristy image also gained so much popularity that Manila Archbishop Basilio Sancho de Santas Justa y Rufina mandated the transfer of the image to the Parish of St. John the Baptist in Quiapo, Manila in 1787 for the security of the Walled City. Pope Pius VII gave the statue his Apostolic Blessing in 1880, which granted plenary indulgence to those who piously prayed before it.

On the dark complexion of the Nazareno

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo

Traditional accounts attribute the color to factors such as votive candles offered before the image, although the most widely held belief is that it was charred by a fire on board the galleon that brought it from Mexico which is false. A study conducted by Monsignor Sabino A. Vengco, Jr. from Loyola School of Theology shows that the image was not charred, contrary to popular belief, but in fact, the image is already dark through to its core, as it was carved from mesquite wood. Msgr. Vengco based this claim on his research in Mexico, where he said the wood was a popular medium in the period the statue was carved, and likened it to Our Lady of Antipolo of similar provenance and appearance.

The image at present

The Processional “Señor Vicario” image of the Black Nazarene

At present, there are two main images of the Nazareno of Quiapo, the original altar image and the processional image, also known as the “Vicario”. The present-day altar enshrined in Quiapo Church is a composite of the original head with a new body by renowned Filipino santero Gener Maglaqui, as commissioned by the Archdiocese of Manila.

The original head of the image damaged by a bullet in the 1980s

The second image, which includes the original body and the head of the Maglaqui replica, is currently enshrined in a chapel where devotees can kiss the feet of the image and offer prayers. This arrangement was initiated in 1998 due to security concerns for the image and to prevent further damage. Notably, in the 1980s, a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo sect shot at the image, sparking national outrage and fervent reactions from devotees. The incident resulted in a stampede that led to the death of the shooter.

In recent years, more replicas of the Nazareno would be commissioned by the Basilica for the veneration of the faithful, visitation to different parishes, and distribution in different dioceses in the country.

The home of the Nazareno

Parish of St. John the Baptist – Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno

Formerly a visita of Santa Ana, in 1586, St. Pedro Bautista and Fray Antonio de Nombella, a Franciscan friar, developed the Church and the town, initially dedicating it to Saint John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1603, leading Governor-General Santiago de Vera to initiate the full construction of the church in 1686. Despite numerous wars and earthquakes devastating the Church, it was consistently rebuilt each time.

In 1933, Fr. Magdaleno Castillo commenced the reconstruction of the church based on a plan prepared by the National Artist of the Philippines architect Juan Nakpil. He incorporated the church’s dome and added a second belfry to balance out the façade. Architect José María Zaragoza later enlarged the church and altered the design of the lateral walls in 1984, while retaining the façade and the dome to accommodate more devotees.

Jaime Cardinal Sin, then-Archbishop of Manila, reconsecrated the church on September 27, 1987, and the following year, it was declared a Minor Basilica. In 1988, the church was conferred the title Basilica Minor of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

The Quiapo Basilica was elevated to the status of Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene. This decree was issued on May 10, 2023, and was announced by Fr. Robert Arellano during the noon mass at Quiapo Church.

he Solemn Declaration of Quiapo Church and Basilica as the National Shrine of the Jesus Nazareno

Months later, during their 126th Plenary Assembly in Kalibo, Aklan, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) approved the petition on Sunday, July 9, 2023, to designate Quiapo Church in Manila as the country’s 29th national shrine. The petition, initiated by Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila, was granted, bestowing the title of “National Shrine of the Jesus Nazareno” upon the iconic church, further acknowledging its significance in the Philippine Catholic Church. The solemn declaration rites took place on January 29, 2024.

The present image of Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora of Quiapo

The Basilica is also the home of the devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Buena Hora where it was venerated in Quiapo Church since the Spanish era. Although the origins of the image were unknown due to a lack of records available, it is said that she also enjoyed a devotional following and the Virgin of the Flores de Mayo of the Quiapo community. Unfortunately, the original ivory image was sold in the 1960s when funds for the restoration of the church were needed and the devotion subsequently died down. After a few decades, the devotion was revived in 2017 with a new image and celebrated its first feast on August 15, 2017 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary after the devotion suddenly disappeared.

The Current devotion to the Black Nazarene

Nazareno Procession by Ricarte Purungganan

The devotion to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo developed and grew over the centuries. Fridays are specifically dedicated to the Nazareno, which the day is traditionally dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord. Pilgrims would flock to Quiapo on Fridays to ask for help in their everyday lives and numerous miracles were reported attributed to the dark-skinned Nazareno.

There are three annual dates when the statue is brought out of its shrine for public veneration: New Year’s Day (the first day of its novena); Good Friday; and January 9 more popularly known as the Traslacion The Traslación procession is the largest of the three, drawing millions of devotees and lasting anywhere from 14 to 20 hours.

The Solemn Procession of the Señor Nazareno of Quiapo during the Spanish era

Contrary to popular belief, there wasn’t a specific date on when the Traslacion took place and it is often mistaken as January 9. Msgr. Jose Abriol, then Rector of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene stated that January 9 was the chosen feast of the Nazareno because it is the ninth day of the novena in honor of the Most Holy Name of Jesus which starts on January 1 which according to the old Church Calendar, it is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Circumcision of Our Lord (the dates of the feast vary depending on what day January 1 falls). At present, the novena begins on December 31 in the tradition of holding a nine-day novena before the feast of a patron saint.

The Traslación Procession of the Black Nazarene

Every January 9, the Traslación procession of the Black Nazarene makes its way along the streets of the Quiapo district, with attendees reaching up to 12 million. In recent years, the processional route was altered due to a rise in vehicular and stampede accidents, to afford other neighborhoods off the traditional route a chance to participate, and because of structural deficiencies in bridges along the route.

It is normally only a school holiday for the schools along or near the path of the procession, starting. In 2014, Former President turned Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada declared a special non-working holiday due to the impassibility of some thoroughfares and projected congestion in others.

In the olden days, the procession of the Black Nazarene was solemn and celebrated with pomp and grandeur during the early years of the Spanish period until the early parts of the post-war period.

As per custom, the statue of the Nazarene leaves the Minor Basilica a day or two before, either in a public fashion or clandestinely. Since 2016, the procession has begun early in the morning after a Solemn Midnight Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, near where the image was first enshrined, and ends in Quiapo early the following morning or at late night the same day, depending on how long the image is traveling. Some participants choose to wait for the image inside the Minor Basilica to greet it, while most devotees walk throughout the whole processional route.

All devotees wear maroon and yellow like the image’s garb, and they walk barefoot as both penance and in emulation of Jesus on his way to Golgotha. The Traslacion is well attended by the millions and it keeps on rising every year. Attendees include families of devotees, tourists, and members of devotees’ associations throughout the country (marked by their estandartes.)

The Black Nazarene is borne in procession on its carriage called the Ándas, and traditionally only men were permitted to be namámasán (“bearers”, i.e. devotees pulling the Ándas by its two large ropes), but in recent years female devotees have been allowed to participate. It is believed that the right shoulder side of the rope is the most sacred site since it is believed to have been where Jesus bore the cross.

Marshals from the Minor Basilica, known as the Hijos del Nazareno, form an honor guard for the Black Nazarene, and are the only people allowed to ride with it in the Ándas for the duration of the Traslación and their primary jobs are to protect the image from possible damage as well as direct the namámasán at the front and the crowd behind through hand gestures, voice commands (either directly or through a megaphone, especially at the front of the image) and whistle signals. They also help devotees clamber up the Ándas so that they might briefly touch the image or its cross, and wipe towels and handkerchiefs tossed at them on parts of the image.

The wiping of cloth on the statue, which is also done during the Pahalík (“kissing”) vigil preceding the Traslación, follows the folk belief that a miraculous object’s powers (specifically its curative abilities) “rub off” on cloth articles.

The Traslación is also infamously known for the casualties that result from the jostling and congestion of the crowds pulling the Ándas. The injuries and even deaths of devotees are brought upon by one or a combination of heat, fatigue, or being trampled upon by other devotees. The 2012 Traslación is the longest in the image’s recorded history as it ended after 22 hours, arriving at Plaza Miranda around 05:15 in the morning of January 10. The procession took longer than usual since the wheels of the Ándas broke early on at a point near Manila Hotel, and the rope broke near Liwasang Bonifacio. There were also reports of groups of devotees diverting the image from the previously decided route to pass by business establishments outside of the traditional route. This illicit act was done to allow homes and businesses off the planned route to receive the good luck and blessings of the image.

The Dungaw Rites

The first Dungaw of the Nazareno and Virgen del Carmen at the Balcony of Basilica Minore de San Sebastian after being halted for centuries for unknown reasons.

On January 9, 2014, the old tradition of the Dungaw (a Tagalog calque of its Spanish name Mirata, “to see” or “to view”) was revived and reincorporated into the Traslación after old documents attesting to its practice were re-discovered. The custom involves the Black Nazarene being made to stop briefly at Plaza del Carmen along the southwest flank of the neo-gothic Basilica Minore de San Sebastián.

After the recitation of the rosary by the congregation inside the steel basilica and as the bells in the church’s twin spires peal, the resident Recollect priests remove the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel from its shrine in the retablo mayor. The image, which was given to the Recollects in 1617 by the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Mexico City, is then brought to a high platform at the southwest face of the church, and lifted up by several priests to “see” and “meet” the Black Nazarene.

The moment is accompanied by relative silence and fervent prayer on the part of devotees, and shortly thereafter, the priests slowly turn the Virgin’s statue so that it “watches” the Black Nazarene depart the vicinity of Plaza del Carmen with the crowds following.  The meeting of the two venerated images of the Recollect Order signifies the meeting of the King and Queen of Quiapo – the Great Protectors of the Arrabal de Quiapo.

A few years later, more Marian rites were added to the Traslacion procession from the “Sungaw” of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Manila, “Pagtatagpo” of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila and “Visita” of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal of San Marcelino, Manila.

The devotion at present

An estampa of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo

The intense devotion to the Black Nazarene is rooted among Filipinos who identify themselves with the passion and suffering of Christ which the statue depicts. Many devotees of the Black Nazarene relate their poverty and daily struggles to the Passion of Christ as represented by the image. The Friday of each week in the year (except Good Friday) is colloquially known as “Quiapo Day” since the novena in the image’s honor is held on this day nationwide. As with “Baclaran Day” (which is ascribed to Wednesdays), commuters associate these two days with heavy traffic in the city due to the influx of devotees to each shrine.

Filipinos overseas have also brought the tradition of a procession and Mass honoring of the Black Nazarene statue to countries such as Australia and the United States. As in Quiapo, a copy of the image is paraded through the streets or within the parish bounds, with devotees reciting prayers in its wake.

The altar image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo

The impact of the Black Nazarene on his faithful devotees is simply unexplainable, his devotees transcend social strata from the rich and wealthy, the poor and the destitute, from politicians, actors, professionals, and others, they may differ in their status in society, but all their accolades are nothing whenever they are in the presence of the Black Nazarene or joining his procession.

Critics of the devotees of the Black Nazarene, whether Catholic or non-Catholic, may dismiss the devotion as rowdy and uncultured because of the manner of the procession of the image and its devotional practices. But if one looks closely at the devotees, they have found their hope amid their troubles, they have found someone to whom they can put all their troubles – it is Our Lord Jesus, in the form of his suffering.

The devotees have found something that they can identify themselves with this particular image, from its skin color up to the scene that the image depicts, the image, for the devotees felt that Jesus is sharing their plight and suffering – that is why the devotion to the Black Nazarene is deeply embedded to the Filipinos.

References:

Abriol, Jose, “Pagsisiyam sa Pooong Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno,” Aklatang Lunas, Manila, 1992.

Almayo, Jose Ernil, OAR, “Romanillos rebuts ‘Myths and Miracles of the Nazareno de Quiapo’”, Retrieved from https://recoletosfilipinas.org/2019/01/09/romanillos-rebuts-myths-and-miracles-of-the-nazareno-de-quiapo/ on January 7, 2021.

Austria, Jose Alain, H”ijos de Enero 9: Quiapo’s Black Nazarene Procession as a Male Rite of Passage” Retrieved from https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=3177 on January 2, 2016.

“Feast Day: The Holy Name of Jesus”, Retrieved from http://stairwayheaven11.blogspot.com/2012/01/feast-day-holy-name-of-jesus.html on July 5, 2017.

Gregorio, Xavier, “The truth behind the Black Nazarene’s color”, Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/1/9/truth-behind-black-nazarene-color.html

Photos:

Canapi, Benedict

Chua, Michael Charleston

Malabanan, James BenedictMinor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno

Yu, Kendrick Dominic