Manila Cardinal Urges Nazarene Devotees to Stand for Truth and Justice (Manila, Philippines)

Cardinal Jose Advincula, Manila’s archbishop, urged Church of the Nazarene devotees to stand for truth and justice during the Feast of the Black Nazarene celebration. Speaking to a large crowd gathered at the Quirino Grandstand on Jan. 9, he called on followers to emulate Christ’s example of self-sacrifice for the salvation of the world.

Advincula encouraged devotees to abandon lives of sin and live in honor of God’s children. He urged them to strive for truth, justice, and peace, emphasizing the importance of living out these values in daily life. The cardinal also called for compassion and charity, urging followers to care for their neighbors and support those in need.

The Mass at the Quirino Grandstand marked the first large gathering for the Black Nazarene feast since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. While many traditional activities were resumed, the annual “Traslacion” procession was again postponed due to ongoing health concerns.

Estimates suggest at least 92,000 people attended the Mass, many wearing masks and carrying small replicas of the Black Nazarene. The event also included a pre-dawn “Walk of Faith” from the grandstand to Quiapo Church, where the original image of the Black Nazarene is enshrined. This procession, though smaller than the usual Traslacion, still drew around 88,000 participants.

The absence of the life-size statue of Jesus Christ carrying the cross was a notable difference from previous years. In Quiapo Church, fiesta Masses were held every hour starting at 12 a.m., with the last Mass scheduled for 11 p.m. By 1 p.m., approximately 200,000 devotees had visited the church to pray and pay homage to the Black Nazarene.

The celebration highlights the enduring devotion of the Church of the Nazarene’s followers, even in the face of pandemic restrictions. The cardinal’s message aligns with the community’s commitment to faith, service, and the pursuit of justice.

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