Despite slight rains, devotees line up patiently to kiss the revered Image of the Black Nazarene at the Quiapo Church on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2016). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The message of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle centered on faith and devotion of Filipinos to the Black Nazarene.
Tagle presided over the midnight Mass held at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila, hours before the annual procession of the Black Nazarene.
The prelate reminded the thousands of devotees present that even if they are unable to visit the image of the Black Nazarene everyday, their devotion is alive with the celebration of the Mass.
Tagle emphasized that devotion to the Nazarene is more than all the pushing and pulling, or squeezing one’s self into throngs of other devotees crowding the path of the Christ’s black image.
“Para doon sa iba na ang akala ang mga deboto ay nagtutulakan lamang. Hindi po. Naranasan niyo na ba na wala kayong makapitan? Kapag naranasan niyo iyan, nandiyan ang Nazareno, lumapit ka, kumapit ka, mauunawaan mo bakit ganyan na lang ang kagustuhan ng mga deboto makalapit sa kanya,” said Tagle.
Tagle said that devotion to the Black Nazarene does not only involve being thankful but also offering sacrifices to God, even as he cited devotees who waited seven hours in line along Roxas Boulevard just to get close to the Nazarene for three seconds.
Tagle also spoke of stories from people who no longer were able to join the procession but still manifested their devotion to the Nazarene simply by preparing food and handing them out to other devotees passing by their house.
“Ilan lamang po ito sa napakahahalaga at matingkad na aspeto ng pagpapakita ng ating debosyon at pananampalataya kay Hesus Nazareno… Ang pagbibigay ng sarili, pagsasakripisyo, pagpaparangal sa Poong Nazareno,” he said.
Tagle emphasized the true meaning of the Eucharist during the Black Nazarene procession.
“Mga kapatid na deboto ng Nazareno, regalo ka ni Hesus sa iba. Ibinibigay ka ni Hesus sa iba. Ipakita mo ang gawa ng Diyos ang pag-ibig ng Diyos,” Tagle said.
“Hinawakan nagpasalamat, ibinigay ang sarili. Iyan ang eucahristiya, ang buhay ng sumasampalataya,” he added.
Tagle also underscored that the country is indeed blessed because the International Eucharistic Congress that will be held in Cebu.
“Tayo pong mga Pilipino ay naghahanda dahil ilang araw na lamang ay magaganap sa ating bansa, sa Cebu, ang ika-51 International Eucharistic Congress,” he said.
“Kaya dito po sa atin ay buhay na buhay ang ating pagninilay, pagsasariwa ng pananampalataya at pagsasabuhay ng misteryo ng eukaristiya, ang banal na misa,” he added.
Authorities said that as of 7 a.m., at least 1.2 million people lined up for the Pahalik at the grandstand. (MNS)