Black Nazarene

Black Nazarene Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno Poong Hesus Nazareno
Location	Quiapo, Manila, Philippines
Date	31 May 1606 (from Acapulco, Mexico)
Witness	Recollect Priests Archbishop Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa, S.P.
Type	Wooden statue
Holy See approval	Pope Innocent X Pope Pius VII
Shrine	Basilica of the Black Nazarene

The Black Nazarene, known to devotees in Spanish as Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (Tagalog: Poong Itim na Nazareno) is a life-sized, dark wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying the cross, while representing his passion and suffering and is believed to be miraculous by many Filipino Catholics. It is one of the two Nazarene portraits of Christ, enshrined in Manila. The original image was destroyed in the 1945 Battle of Manila, while the second was a 17th-century replica ordered by the Archbishop of Manila from Mexico for the benefit of the Filipino natives (Indios) and is currently preserved in the Quiapo Church.

Originally with fair complexion, it is believed to have turned dark after the statue survived a burning galleon ship on its arrival from Mexico. Originally placed by the Archbishop of Manila in the Church of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, the statue was later transferred to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo district, Manila, Philippines, where it is presently venerated every Friday with Novena and Holy Masses.

The Black Nazarene is publicly processed on three annual occasions: New Year's Day, Good Friday, and on 9 January, when its first novena feast, official translation (Spanish: traslación) and enshrinement in the present Basilica is commemorated. The event is attended by several million devotees that crowd the streets of processional route in Metro Manila.

Description

The Black Nazarene derives its main title from the citizenship of Jesus of Nazareth, and its external local title regarding the present skin dark complexion of the statue. Adorning the statue's head are the traditional Tres Potencias ("three powers") halo, symbolising the three powers of the Holy Trinity. These three rayos ("rays") are used to exclusively identify Christ in traditional Hispanic iconography, and are an angular evolution of the common cruciform halo.

The statue's original body has lost several fingers over the years, and the original head has since been transferred several times onto a full-scale replica body by renowned Filipino sculptor Gener Manlaqui as commissioned by the Archdiocese of Manila. The statue also bears a large wooden cross with brass gold-plated ornamentation on its tips while the head wears a braided wig made of dyed abaca, along with its golden crown of thorns.

In addition, the image wears an embroidered maroon tunic with gold thread floral patterns embroidered into the fabric, along with lace trimmings on the collar and cuffs. A gold-plated metal belt embossed with the image's name encircles its waist, with a golden chain-ball representing the Flagellation. The barefooted statue is in a genuflecting posture, symbolizing the agony and heavy weight of the cross.

The image's wooden base is referred to as the peana, while its carriage or carroza used in processions is referred to as the Ándas (from the Spanish andar, "to move forward"). The Ándas is pulled by devotees using a pair of 50-metre long ropes.

History of the two Nazarene statues

The image enshrined in the high altar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Manila.

The statue was made by an anonymous Mexican sculptor, and the image arrived in Manila via galleon from Acapulco, Mexico. Folk tradition attributes the dark colour of the statue to a fire on the ship that charred the originally white skin.

Church records in Intramuros note that there were originally two, identical images of the Black Nazarene brought to Manila. The first was kept in the San Nicolas de Tolentino church in Bagumbayan, specifically within the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was later transferred to Intramuros when the former was demolished. On January 9, 1787, the Archbishop of Manila, Basilio Sancho de Santas Justa y Rufina, ordered the transfer of the Black Nazarene to its present location within the Quiapo church. This Black Nazarene was often referred to as the Nazarene of the Elite due to the prohibition that Filipino natives (Indios) were not allowed to touch of physically venerate it due to its higher class and precious jewels and accessories. It was later destroyed in the bombardment during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

The surviving image was a Mexican copy, originally given by the Recollect Order to the Parish of Saint John the Baptist, presently designated as a minor Basilica, and it has often been thought to be the one lost in the war. It is sometimes dubbed as the Nazarene of the Indios due to a wider appeal to the Filipino masses that were allowed to touch and venerate the image. After the destruction of the original Nazarene statue in the Basilica of Our Lady of Carmel, the second copy became much more widely known and venerated as its main surviving image. Folklore legends later embellished its Mexican origins, sometimes blurring the original existence of the first Nazarene statue.

The current statue of the Black Nazarene in enshrined in Quiapo Church depends upon the fact that the original head of Christ was previously connected to the original totem body as displayed in the high altar of the Church; or that the original body is stored elsewhere for preservation during its three annual processions when the original head rests on a replica body instead, constructed by renowned Filipino Santero sculptor Gener Manlaqui.

Papal Approval

Pope Innocent X approved the statue for veneration in 1650 as a Sacramental and authorized the Confraternity of the Most Holy Jesus Nazarene (Spanish: Cofradia de Nuestro Santo Jesus Nazareno). During the Spanish era, Filipinos were barred from joining the Holy Orders, in which confraternity were a group of religious laymen. Pope Pius VII gave the statue his Apostolic Blessing in 1880, which granted plenary indulgence to those who piously pray before the statue.

Devotion

Procession of the Black Nazarene at Plaza Miranda during the Traslacíon, 2010.

Religious veneration of the Black Nazarene is rooted among Filipinos who identify themselves with the Passion of Jesus Christ. Many devotees of the Black Nazarene relate their poverty and daily struggles to the Passion of Christ as represented by the image. The actual patron saint of the minor Basilica is Saint John the Baptist, but the Black Nazarene is more popular. Devotees pay homage to it at the end of each mass offered in the shrine by clapping their hands.

Every Friday of the year is colloquially known as "Quiapo Day" since the novena in the image's honour is held on this day nationwide. Similar to "Baclaran Day" (which is ascribed to Wednesdays), commuters associate this term with heavy traffic in the city due to visiting devotees.

Processions

There are three annual processions when the statue is brought out for public veneration, January 9, Good Friday, and New Years Day. The procession during the January 9 feast commemorates the Traslación. (English: "passage"), referring to the transfer of the image to the Minor Basilica.

The Black Nazarene is borne in procession on its Ándas, accompanied by devotees clad in maroon who walk barefoot as both penance and in imitation of Jesus on his way to Mount Calvary. Traditionally, only men were permitted to become namámasán (the devotees pulling the Ándas by its two ropes), but in recent years female devotees have also been allowed to do so. It is believed that the Kanang Balikat, or right shoulder side of the rope, is the most sacred side since this is the part where Jesus carried the cross. Towels or handkerchiefs are hurled to the yellow-clad marshals escorting the Black Nazarene, with requests to wipe these on the statue in hopes that the miraculous powers attributed to it would "rub off" on the cloth articles.

The Traslación every 9 January is notorious for the casualties that result from the jostling and congestion of the crowds engaged in pulling the carriage. 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 image is also brought out on two other occasions, namely New Year's Day and Good Friday, the latter being markedly solemn and silent in contrast to the celebration found during the January 9 procession. The 2012 Traslación is the longest in the image's recorded history as it ended after 22 hours later, arriving at Plaza Miranda at around 05:15 GMT+8 on 10 January. The procession was protracted since the wheels of the Ándas broke early on when it passed by Manila Hotel, and the rope broke near the Liwasang Bonifacio. There were also reports of devotees diverting the image from its intended path to supposedly bring good luck to establishments off the traditional route.

Feast

Each year, the procession of the Black Nazarene makes its way along the streets of the Quiapo district, with attendees reaching up to 6 to 8 million. In recent years, the processional route was altered due to a rise in vehicular and stampede accidents, and to afford other neighborhoods a chance to participate in the festivities. Classes are also suspended in all levels. Since 2007 and 2009, the procession now commences at morning after Holy Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, where the image was first enshrined, and ends in Quiapo in the late evening.

As is custom, the statue of the Nazarene leaves the Quiapo church (publicly or secretly the night before) and returns to the church on the same day. Many participants either follow the route, or simply wait inside the church to greet the statue. All devotees present wear the image's color of maroon. Most, if not all, of the devotees walk and even travel barefoot throughout the whole procession. Authorities estimate that over 500,000 devotees strode barefoot in the 2013 procession, which was attended by 9 million people.

Transportation

If one is in Manila and decides to travel during the Feast of the Black Nazarene, heavy traffic is expected. Most jeepneys reroute from their usual route and can create additional travel time. However, some public transportation systems like the MRT or LRT provide free train tickets to devotees during the feast day. Traffic rerouting is done on January 9 and enforced by the local police force.

Abroad

Filipinos overseas have adopted a similar procession and Mass in honour of the Black Nazarene statue in countries such as Australia and the United States. A copy of the image is paraded through the streets or within the parish vicinity, with devotees following and reciting prayers as in the Philippines.

In September 2012, a replica of the Black Nazarene was canonically enshrined at Saint Catherine of Siena's Roman Catholic parish in Reseda, California, USA.

Hymn

Below are the lyrics of the National Hymn composed by Lucio San Pedro, which is used by the Quiapo church as the main hymn to the Black Nazarene.

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, (Our Father Jesus Nazarene,)
Sinasamba Ka namin (We worship Thee)
Pinipintuho Ka namin (We admire Thee)
Aral Mo ang aming buhay (For Thy teachings are our life)
at Kaligtasan. (and Salvation.)

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Our Father Jesus Nazarene,)
Iligtas Mo kami sa Kasalanan (Deliver us from Sin)
Ang Krus Mong Kinamatayan ay (For the Cross Thou died on is)
Sagisag ng aming Kaligtasan. (The Emblem of our Salvation)

Chorus:
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, (Our Father Jesus Nazarene,)
Dinarangal Ka namin! (We honour Thee!)
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, (Our Father Jesus Nazarene,)
Nilul'walhati Ka namin! (We glorify Thee!)
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, (Our Father Jesus Nazarene,)
Dinarangal Ka namin! (We honour Thee!)
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, (Our Father Jesus Nazarene,)
Nilul'walhati Ka namin! (We glorify Thee!)

External links

• Quiapo Church Website [1]
• GMA NEWS.TV, Emergency: Pista ng Nazareno - 01/12/2008
• GMA NEWS.TV, Gma News Research, The Black Nazarene
• Pinoys celebrate 405th anniversary of the Black Nazarene 2012
• Inquirer News | Philippine Catholic pilgrims defy terror alert
• Manila Bulletin | Devotees defy threat