From healing to forgiveness, Nazareno devotees hope for answered prayers

Catholic Filipinos from all walks of life endured the heat, rains, and the crowded streets of Manila every January 9 just to get a glimpse and touch of the image of Jesus of Nazareth in hopes of their prayers being answered.

In Emil Sumangil’s report in 24 Oras on Tuesday, two days before the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, devotees from various parts of the country  traveled to Manila, bringing with them their prayers for healing, provisions and forgiveness.

Leonora Bienviaje, 84, travelled all the way from Malolos, Bulacan to Quirino Grandstand for the traditional “Pahalik”, which for her is her way to personally thank Jesus Nazareno for healing her from being paralyzed.

“Maginhawa po katawan ko, masakit lang po talaga tuhod ko. Pero tinanggal niya po ang kasakitan. Dati binubuhat po ako, ngayon po ay hindi na,” she said as she will stay in the city until Thursday to join the “Traslacion” or the procession of the 400-year-old image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. 

(I’m feeling better, although I have pain in my knees. But He healed me from the pain. I need to be carried before, but I can walk now on my own.)

From Batangas, Catalino Riva, 71, endured the long lines in Quirino Grandstand to also express his gratitude to Jesus Nazareno.

“Gusto kong magpasalamat sa kanya sa aking mga hiniling na masasakit sa aking katawan na pagalingin niya ako. Hiniling ko sa kanya at kusang nawala, kaya ako ay narito para magpasalamat,” said Riva, who’s been a devotee for more than six years.

(I want to thank Him for healing me from all the pain in my body. So I came here to thank Him.)

Naty Bernales, a first time devotee, is praying for a new house.

“Magkaroon ng sariling bahay po para sa mga anak,” she said. “Naibenta po dahil nalugi ang business.”

(I’m praying for a house for my children. Because it needed to be sold following losses in our business.)

Antonio Delos Santos, on the other hand, is seeking forgiveness.

“Hindi naman tayong perpektong tao, nakakapagsalita tayo ng hindi tama,” he said, adding that he also prays for the welfare of his children.

(I’m not a perfect person, we sometimes utter negative words towards others.)

The annual feast and tradition for many Filipinos also drew the attention of foreigners.

“We saw the big crowd of people, we saw the queues and we asked some people ‘what is going on? And they said that it’s a Christian celebration of the Black Nazareno and we are two young Christian boys, let’s go and experience this. Because we don’t celebrate stuff like this in the United Kingdom,” said Oli Turton, a British subject.

“Usually the celebration in the UK is around Christmas time…so we thought we come see what it is all about. My father is ill at the moment, so I’m going to pray for him,” said Oli Daniel.

According to the Nazareno Operation Center, a total of 9,404 have flocked for the traditional “Pahalik” from 7 p.m. of Monday, January 6 to 4 p.m. of Tuesday, January 7.

The Feast of Jesus Nazareno is a 10-day activity which started from December 31, 2024 and will culminate on January 9, 2025 with the “Traslacion.”

During last year’s festivities, some 6.5 million devotees attended the procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News