Black Nazarene devotees joining procession share stories of hope, miracles

With the return of the grand procession, many devotees of the Black Nazarene joining the 2024 Traslacion shared stories of hope, miracles and devotion.

Jonathan Andal’s 24 Oras report Monday include devotee Susana de Guzma Avila who said the image of Jesus Christ healed her.

“Pinakamatinding gumaling sa akin yung suso kong butas na nag-nanana na may dugo. Hindi ako nagpatingin, hindi ako nagpagamot. Kay Señor Nazareno lang ako,” Susana shared.

(The Black Nazarene healed the sickness in my breast. I did not seek medical advice or treatment. I placed my faith in the Nazarene.)

“Biglaan lang nawala. Ito may peklat, may bukol pa siya maliit pero bale wala lang yan,” she said.

(It just disappeared. I still have a scar and a small bump but these don’t matter.)

Jesus Solis, another devotee, shared a similar story, saying he almost went blind from a work-related injury and sought healing from the Black Nazarene.

“Dati pag ginaganyan. Wala, kahit yung pangalan... ganyan letra wala. Noong hinimas-himas ko sa mga santo sa kanila nawala yung ano pinaka-tinga ng bakal...Luminawag ulit mata ko,” said Solis.

(I almost went blind before but after touching the image, the metal obstruction in my eye was gone. I can see clearly now.)

One of the main activities in the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the Traslacion is a lengthy procession that returns the statue of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. It was not held in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While some seek help, Hazel Laya said she is attending the Traslacion to distribute  P2,000 worth of free handkerchiefs that she wiped on the Black Nazarene to other devotees for free in her hometown of Batangas.

“Marami sa amin na matatanda atsaka may sakit na hindi nakakapunta bigay ko ho ito. Ihahaplos, isisimba. Pasasalamat ko kay Apo,” she said.

(There are a lot of senior citizens who cannot attend because they are sick or too weak. I will give them these handkerchiefs that have been wiped on the Nazarene and prayed for. It is my way of showing my gratitude to him.)

A number of foreigners were also in line to share in the experience.

"I'm already taking pictures. I want everyone know what's going on. what's here. Maybe someday when they come here they'll visit," said William McBright.

Earlier, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and  Management Office (CDRRMO) said it is all systems go for the staging of the 2024 Traslacion.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News