Black Nazarene


The Black Nazarene is a life-sized image of a dark-skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the Cross enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the Quiapo district of the City of Manila, Philippines.
The Black Nazarene was carved by an unknown Mexican from a dark wood in the 16th century in Mexico and then transported to the Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. Pope Innocent X granted recognition to the lay Confraternity of Santo Cristo Jesús Nazareno in 1650 for the promotion of the devotion to Jesus through the icon. It was housed in several churches near Manila in the early decades, arriving in Quiapo Church in 1787 where it has been enshrined ever since. The icon is renowned in the Philippines and is considered by many Filipino Catholics to be miraculous; its mere touch reputed to cure disease. It attracts homage by numerous devotees and major processions every year.
The image is brought out of its shrine in procession three times a year: January 9, Good Friday, and December 31. The January 9 procession re-enacts the image's Traslación in 1787, or "solemn transfer" to the Minor Basilica from its original shrine inside Intramuros. The January 9 Traslación is the largest procession, drawing thousands of devotees thronging to touch the icon and lasting 22 hours at the most.
The Black Nazarene is venerated by Filipino devotees every Friday. Along with the Santo Niño, it is the most popular object of devotion in the Philippines. A similar image called Cristo Negro is venerated in Portobelo, Panama.

Terminology

The image derives its name from "Nazarene", a title of Christ identifying him as a native of Nazareth in Galilee and from its dark complexion — something uncommon amongst Philippine depictions of Jesus.
The Traslación procession is taken from the Spanish term for translation, referring to "passage" or "movement".

''Ándas''

The image's wooden base is referred to as the peana while its carriage or carroza used in processions is called the ándas. The term ándas commonly refers to the shoulder-borne palanquins of religious images and was retained for the icon’s carriage which replaces the palanquins used in processions up until the late 20th century.

History

The image was made by an anonymous Mexican sculptor and arrived in Manila via galleon from Acapulco, Mexico on May 31, 1606. Traditional accounts attribute the color of the image to votive candles burning before the image, although the most widespread belief is that it was charred by fire on the galleon that brought it from Mexico.
Monsignor Sabino A. Vengco Jr. from Loyola School of Theology meanwhile noted that the image was not charred but in fact dark through to its core, as it was carved from mesquite wood. Vengco based this claim on personal research in Mexico, where he said the wood was a popular medium in the period the image was carved. He also likened it to Our Lady of Antipolo, another popular image of similar provenance and appearance.
The image was first enshrined in the Church of San Juan Bautista of the Augustinian Recollects in Bagumbayan, Luneta. In 1608, the image was transferred to the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino inside Intramuros. It was enshrined in the retablo mayor of the church until both the church and the image perished as a result of the bombardment and the flames of Manila during its liberation in 1945.
On January 9, 1787, the Augustinian Recollects donated a copy of the image to the Church of the Camisa. This donation later on was celebrated by the faithful every January 9 by means of a procession from Intramuros back to Quiapo.
A still-persistent misconception is that the icon in Quiapo Church is the original image. While the original image was always in the main altar away from the crowds, leaving only for a procession on Palm Sunday, the image enshrined in Quiapo, which has withstood four centuries of fires, earthquakes, and the Second World War, was available for physical veneration by devotees who attested to its miraculous powers.
The image presently enshrined above the main altar of Quiapo Church is a composite of the head of the Recollects' replica and the body of a replica sculpted by renowned Filipino santero Gener Maglaqui, who was commissioned by the Archdiocese of Manila. The other composite comprises the body of the Recollects' replica and the head of the Maglaqui replica. Enshrined in a different part of the Basilica, it is the second composite which is used in the three major processions. This arrangement began in the 1990s because of security concerns and to better protect the icon; until then, the image donated in the 18th century was used during processions.

Description

The Black Nazarene's head wears a braided wig made of dyed abaca, along with a golden crown of thorns. Attached to the crown are the traditional "Tres Potencias" halo, symbolising the three powers of the Holy Trinity. These three rayos, an angular variant of the cruciform halo, are exclusively used for images of Jesus Christ in traditional Filipino and Hispanic iconography to signify his divinity. The original image has lost several fingers over the centuries.
The barefoot image is shown in a genuflecting posture, symbolising the agony and the weight of the Cross, along with the overall pain Christ endured during his Passion. The Cross itself is of black wood tipped with flat, pyramidal gilt brass caps.

Vestments

The image is dressed in a heavy velvet tunic of maroon, embroidered with floral and plant emblems in gold thread, and trimmed with matching lace collar and cuffs. Around the waist is a gold-plated metal belt embossed with the word "NAZARENO", while a golden chain ending spheres is looped around the neck and held in the left hand, representing the Scourging.
The image's vestments are changed in the Pabihis ritual, which is done by a priest vested in a cope and stole, and devotees either inside the Basilica or outside in Plaza Miranda. It is performed five times a year during preparations for major religious occasions, and is open to the public.

''Traslación''

Every January 9, the Traslación of the Black Nazarene makes its way along the streets of Quiapo, with attendees reaching up to 220 thousand devotees. In recent years a persistent misconception has the Traslación being repeatedly referred to as mostly the "Feast of the Black Nazarene", and sometimes the "Feast of Quiapo", which despite the chaotic yet festive atmosphere are far from correct: the Black Nazarene's liturgical commemoration is on Good Friday. The basilica's parochial feast day, meanwhile, is on June 24 – the birthday of its titular, John the Baptist.
In recent years, the processional route was altered due to a rise in accidents, to afford other neighbourhoods off the traditional route a chance to participate, and because of structural deficiencies in nearby bridges. It is normally only a school holiday for the schools near the processional route, but for the first time in the city's history, Mayor of Manila Joseph Estrada in 2014 declared the day a special non-working holiday due to the impassability of some thoroughfares and projected congestion in others.
As per custom, the Black Nazarene leaves the Minor Basilica a day or two before the annual procession, either in a public fashion or clandestinely. Since 2016, the procession begins at around 05:30 AM PST after a solemn Midnight Mass at the Quirino Grandstand, followed hours later by Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. It ends in Quiapo in late night of the same day or early the following morning, depending on how long the image has travelled. 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, and they walk barefoot as a form of penance and in emulation of Christ's walk to Golgotha. Authorities estimate that over 500,000 devotees strode barefoot in the 2013 procession, which whole almost week long event was attended by 9 million people. Attendees include families of devotees, tourists, and members of devotees' associations throughout the country and overseas, all carrying their long estandartes usually coloured maroon or white and embroidered in gold and emblazoned with the image and the association name.
The Black Nazarene is processed upon the Ándas, and traditionally only men were permitted to be mamámasán, the devotees pulling the wheeled Ándas by its two large ropes. In recent years, female mamámasán have been allowed to participate, with pregnant women barred for safety reasons. There is also the custom of vying to touch the Kanang Balikat, or the rope to the side of the image’s right shoulder. Folk belief holds it to possesses great sanctity, as it is closer to imitating the image bearing the Cross.
Marshals from the Minor Basilica, known as the Hijos del Nazareno, form an honour guard around the image, and are the only people permitted to ride the Ándas for the duration of the Traslación. The Hijos – distinguishes from maroon-clad devotees by their yellow and white shirts – have the primary task of protecting the icon from damage and directing the mamámasán in front and behind using hand gestures, voice commands, and whistle signals. In addition, they help devotees clamber up onto the Ándas to briefly touch the icon’s cross, and wipe the image with cloths tossed at them. The wiping of cloth on the image, which is also done during the Pahalík ritual held the eve of the Traslación, follows the folk belief that cloth can absorb the powers of a holy object. This sanctity-through-contact descends from the ancient custom of ex brandea, itself part of the wider category of Third-class relics.

Injuries and casualties

The Traslación is also notorious 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 several factors including heat, fatigue, or being trampled upon by the crowd.

Length

The 2012 Traslación is currently the longest in the image's recorded history as it ended 22 hours after leaving the Grandstand, arriving at Plaza Miranda around 05:15 AM PST the next day. The procession took longer than usual since the wheels of the Ándas broke early on at a point near Manila Hotel, while the rope broke some distance away near Liwasang Bonifacio.
There were also reports of groups of devotees diverting the image from the previously defined route in order to pass by business establishments outside 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'' Rite

On January 9, 2014, the traditional Dungaw was revived and reincorporated into the Traslación after the discovery of old documents attesting to its practise. The rite, which was discontinued in the early 1900s for still-unknown reasons, involves the Black Nazarene, coming from R. Hidalgo Street, being made to stop briefly at Plaza del Carmen, a square along the southwest flank of the neo-gothic Basílica Menor de San Sebastián, before proceeding towards Bilibid Viejo Street.
After the recitation of the rosary by congregants inside San Sebastián, the resident Recollect priests remove the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel from the principal niche of the retablo mayor. The image, which was given to the Recollects in 1617 by a Carmelite nunnery in Mexico City, is then solemnly and silently processed to a temporary scaffold erected at the southwest face of the church. There, it is lifted up by several priests to "see" and "meet" the Black Nazarene as devotees fall silent, with several prayers, being chanted fervently. Shortly thereafter, the priests slowly turn the Virgin's image so that it "watches" the Black Nazarene and its procession depart the vicinity of Plaza del Carmen as the Basilica’s bells are rung. The image of Our Lady is then returned to the high altar.
Theologically, the Dungaw rite reflects the fourth Traditional Station of the Cross, where Christ meets his mother, the Virgin Mary, en route to Golgotha.

Papal approval

approved veneration of the image in 1650 as a sacramental, and authorised the establishment of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Jesus Nazarene.
For a majority of the Spanish Era, Filipinos were barred from taking Holy Orders, while confraternities were groups of religious laymen and thus an open option. Pope Pius VII gave the image his Apostolic Blessing in 1880, which granted plenary indulgence to those who piously pray before it.

Devotions

Religious veneration of the Black Nazarene is rooted among Filipinos who identify themselves with the passion and suffering of Christ which the image depicts. Many devotees of the Black Nazarene relate their poverty and daily struggles to the Passion of Christ as represented by the image.
While the actual patron saint of the basilica is John the Baptist, the Black Nazarene and its Traslación are more popular. At the end of each Mass offered in the Minor Basilica, devotees pay homage to the image by clapping their hands. In addition to the novena, Traslación, Pahalík, and the Pabihis, the Pasindí or lighting of votive candles is another popular devotion, as is the decades-old, reverential custom of creeping on one's knees up the main aisle towards the image.
The Friday of each week in the year is colloquially known in Metro Manila as "Quiapo Day", since the novena in the image's honour is held on this day nationwide. As with Wednesday, this day is associated with heavy traffic surrounding the vicinity due to the influx of devotees.
The Nazarene Catholic School reflects the devotion of decision-makers of the school to the Black Nazarene. The school's official newsletter is likewise named "The Nazarene" with the pupils attributed as being "Nazareñans."
The largest procession in reverence for the Black Nazarene image is the January 9 Traslación procession every year, attracting millions of Catholic devotees, who throng to touch or get their towel touched by the image carriers and the image and thereby get a blessing from the image. Beyond the procession, every Friday, the image of the Black Nazarene is venerated by Filipino devotees. It is, along with Santo Niño, is the most popular object of devotion in the Philippines. In 2011, over six million Catholic devotees flocked to the Black Nazarene celebration.

Hymn

The hymn Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno was composed by Lucio San Pedro to honour the image. It is used by the Minor Basilica as the official anthem of the devotion and its associated rites.

Outside Quiapo

Similar processions replicating the Traslación are also held on 9 January in other parts of the country. The largest of these is held in Cagayan de Oro City, which uses an official replica of the image given by the Minor Basilica in 2009.
Filipinos overseas have brought the tradition of a procession and Mass honouring of the Black Nazarene image 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.
In September 2012, a replica of the Black Nazarene was canonically enshrined at Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Parish in Reseda, California, United States. and also United Arab Emirates will make 1st Traslacion in Gitnang Silangan or Middle East this year January 4, 2019 1st friday of that month
On March 4, 2014, a replica of the Black Nazarene from Quiapo Church arrived at the Old Chapel of St. Rock the Healer Mission Center, Bishop's Compound, Brgy. Cawayan, Catarman, Northern Samar. Since then, many devotees across Northern Samar came to venerate the sacred image, especially during Fridays. At that time, the said mission center were constructing a bigger church.
On January 9, 2015, the first Traslación was held, in solidarity with the Quiapo Church. It was when the sacred image was transferred from the old church to the new and unfinished church building. Crowds not only from Northern Samar but all over the island attended.
On September 12, 2016, the newly-constructed church was blessed, dedicated and consecrated by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. The event was concelebrated by the priests from Quiapo Church, Felomino G. Bactol, Bishop Emeritus Anghel Hobayan, Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance, Mission Center's first administrator Rev. Fr. Alan Abalon and Mission Center's second administrator and rector Rev. Fr. Rico M. Manook. The event was attended by many religious people from different dioceses in Eastern Visayas. Also, during this event, the St. Rock the Healer Mission Center was elevated as the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, making it the first church in the Visayas to be declared a shrine in honor of this image.
On August 18, 2019, the said shrine, becomes a Parish, making it the first barangay-based Parish in the whole Diocese of Catarman. Thus, its now official name is St. Rock the Healer Parish, Diocesan Shrine of the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

Idolatry controversy

According to Jaime Laya, the devotional worship of Black Nazarene of Quiapo is idolatry, but he states it may be a continuation of possibly pre-Christian local ritual practices. Elizabeth Pisares also states that this is idolatry, and suggests its link with the social disparities among the Filipino. In contrast, according to the rector Monsignor of Quiapo, Jose Clemente Ignacio, the procession and devotion is not idolatry, rather it is a reflection of "Filipino trait to want to wipe, touch, kiss, or embrace sacred objects if possible", and it is just a belief in "the presence of the Divine in sacred objects and places". According to Mariano Barbato, the debate over the icon is centred on the questions of what constitutes idolatry, when an icon becomes a false god, and what makes the procession ritual idolatrous.

Transportation

Travel within the City of Manila during the Traslación every January 9 might be difficult as heavy traffic is expected. Most jeepneys use alternate routes for the day to avoid the procession, thus creating additional travel time. Some public transport systems such as the Line 1, Line 2, and Line 3 provide free rides to devotees, who are easily identifiable as dressed in maroon and walking barefoot.
Traffic rerouting is implemented on the annual procession and the day before, and is enforced by the Manila Police District with reinforcements from the Philippine National Police and, since 2014, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The Philippine Coast Guard guards stretches of the Pasig River along the Jones, Quezon and MacArthur bridges to ensure the safe passage of the procession.
A similar scenario may be experienced by tourists and travellers in Cagayan de Oro and in Catarman, Northern Samar during the yearly processions of the sacred image, as well as in other towns and cities where replica images are brought out in procession on this day.