Nazareno devotees encouraged: Pray anytime at Quiapo Church

The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, or Quiapo Church, told devotees of Jesus of Nazareth on Wednesday that they can visit the church anytime to offer their prayers even without a feast.

“Ang tahanan at pambansang dambana ni Hesus Nazareno ay bukas 24 oras. Hindi nagsasara ang mga pintuan ng ating simbahan. At any point in time, ang ating mga deboto ay puwedeng pumasok sa loob ng simbahan at magdasal,” said Fr. Robert Arellano, spokesperson for the Pista ng Hesus Nazareno 2025 in Mark Salazar’s report in 24 Oras.

(The home and the national shrine of Jesus Nazareno is open 24 hours. Our doors never close. At any point in time, our devotees can enter the church and pray.)

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

Lorna Arcana, a cancer survivor, said that going to Quiapo Church is her own little way of showing her gratitude to Jesus Nazareno who she gives credit for her healing.

“Siya lang talaga ang pinaniniwalaan ko, wala ng iba. Tsaka lahat ng hihilingin mo, talagang tutuparin niya. [Siya ang] pinakamagaling na dakilang manggagamot,” she said.

(I only believe in Him and nobody else. Everything that you pray for, He will grant it. He is the best healer.)

Meanwhile, Evelyn, another devotee, shared that she never fails to visit the church every Friday.

“Lagi ko po talagang dinadayo si Poong Hesus Nazareno, especially nung namatay asawa ko, nung nagkasakit asawa ko nung 2017. Every Friday dumadalangin ako sa kanya,” she said. 

(I always visit the Jesus Nazareno, especially after my husband died and when he got ill in 2017. I always pray to Him every Friday.)

Devotees also visit Quiapo Church to catch a glimpse or touch the image of the blackened image of Jesus Christ. But the church official said that some parts of the original image are placed somewhere confidential for security reasons.

“Ang mga bahagi ng orihinal ay hiwa-hiwalay. Sa Traslacion, ang orihinal na bahagi  ay ang katawan. Ang ibang bahagi, for security reasons, hindi namin sasabihin. Yung ulo na nakikita natin sa altar, ay orihinal,” said Arellano.

But the church understands the one’s devotion is personal, hence, the interest among devotees to touch even a replica image of the Jesus Nazareno.

“Hindi naman kahoy ang sinasamba ng mga deboto kung hindi ang katotohanan na nakapaloob sa bawat replika - ang katotohanan na minsan sa ating kasaysayan, nakipamuhay ang Diyos sa atin…Hindi ang mga rebulto ang nakakapagpagaling, kung hindi ang ating pananampalataya,” said Arellano.

(Our devotees are not actually worshipping the wooden image, but they believe in the truth within every replica - the truth that our God once lived with us…It’s not the statues who heal us, but our faith.)

Even after the Feast of Jesus of Nazareno, devotees can actually touch the image of Jesus Nazareno behind the altar.

But there are also replica images outside of church, or the so-called pilgrim images, which devotees can also pray to.

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 or the procession of the image from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News