Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - More than nine million faithful Catholics, regardless of the "attack alert" released by the government, took to the streets today, January 9, in Manila, for the solemn procession of the Nazarene, the statue of the Infant Jesus of color, preserved in the Sanctuary of Quiapo in Manila. The procession follows the massive chariot with the statue of the Nazarene through the center of Manila, from Luneta Park to the Basilica, where Masses will be celebrated every hour, uninterruptedly, until tomorrow. The event, a milestone in the devotion of the Filipino people, takes place in a climate of tension because of terrorist threats recorded by the Philippine government. In an unprecedented "warning" message, President Benigno Aquino himself warned the faithful of possible attacks. According to local sources of Fides, the threats may have a dual origin: the Islamic militant from the South, as the terrorist group "Abu Sayyaf", or anti-Catholic and secular areas that, with a demonstrative act, intend to curb the influence of the Church in society . For the procession, guarded by more than 15 thousand security agents, the faithful were instructed not to use fireworks, not to bring bags or mobile phones which "could be used for the purpose of a detonation".
Asked by Fides, Mgr.Bernardino Cortez, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, said: "The terror warnings did not discourage the faithful. Indeed, many of them say that, if they died during the procession of the Nazarene, performing an act of faith, they would certainly go to Paradise. The Nazarene works miracles, a brother in suffering, a message of hope for the poor: nothing can stop the faithful". "The devotion to the Nazarene - said the Bishop – today has a deep meaning for the Filipino people, especially for the poor, as the new Archbishop of Manila, Mgr. Antonio Tagle recalled in his message. What is striking is that the Nazarene is a reference point especially for young people, many of whom are present in today's event".
In addition, Bishop Cortez said, "today more than one million people in Mindanao, in the region of Cagayan de Oro, which was hit recently by Typhoon Sendong, pray and worship the Nazarene, finding in Him support and consolation in suffering: the Archdiocese of Manila, in fact, sent copies of the statue to other dioceses, in order to decentralize the cult and allow all the faithful to live directly this special devotion".
The original statue of the Nazarene arrived in Manila from Mexico in 1607 aboard a ship that had caught fire. The statue was blackened by the fire, hence the name "Black Nazarene". The Nazarene was untouched by the fires that hit Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929, by the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863 and the bombing of Manila in 1945 during the Second World War. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 09/01/2012)
