Barefoot devotees flock to Quiapo for Black Nazarene

On the eve of a two-day celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the Black Nazarene, hundreds of devotees started to flock to the Quiapo district in Manila. Radio station dzMM reported that as of early Sunday morning, many devotees made their way to the Quiapo Church and nearby Plaza Miranda. Many of the devotees wore T-shirts with an image of the Black Nazarene and their respective groups’ names and logos printed on the shirts. Vendors had a heyday selling Black Nazarene items such as shirts, towels, rosaries and other religious items. The police were stationed along key areas around the church and the plaza, along with other areas where Monday evening’s procession will pass. Traffic was closed to vehicles in several streets of the Quiapo area as the devotees arrived. The devotees were reminded of the lessons of caring and sharing in pulling the “carroza (float)." Quiapo parish priest Msgr. Josefino Ramirez said the rope and hands in the logo of the Black Nazarene shows the spirit of caring, unity and cooperation of devotees in the procession. “These bearers have a cue from every push and every pull on the rope throughout the procession. As the procession moves, there is a right movement and in every movement there is feeling and understanding that is not selfish and with care," Ramirez said in his message to parishioners and devotees posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Manila (rcam.org). Ramirez said there are times when the hands hold the rope very tightly but there are also times when the hands need to loosen the grip on the rope to allow it to move. On the other hand, he said the grip on the rope should not be very firm at all times nor should it be stopped constantly. This is "not the time to be selfish and go about their own ways," he said. “There is a need for the people to be sensitive to the feelings of their fellow devotees, through their movement in pulling the carroza during the procession. There is rhythm and coordination in every breath and motion of the devotees," he said. Ramirez said the real message of the Black Nazarene is the real depth of the understanding and fellowship among all the devotees. “Giving way, caring for, giving and self-control are what the Nazareno is trying to teach the devotees in this rope and hand logo. “May we also learn to apply the same lesson in our everyday lives," Ramirez said. The devotees celebrate this year the 400th anniversary of the coming from Mexico of the image of the Black Nazarene. To mark the event, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has declared May 31, 2006 to June 1, 2007 as a Jubilee Year for the Fourth Centenary of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. The image of the Black Nazarene is carried on the “carroza" made of wood and steel, pulled by two one-inch thick abaca ropes 50 meters long. - GMANews.TV