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ALL HAIL THE KING: NAZARENO REPLICA AND ‘ESTANDARTE’ BLESSING

Mar. 17, 2024 02:36 PM

A Nazareno replica is paraded down at the facade of Quiapo church for the annual Replica and ‘Estandarte’ blessing as part of the Nazareno 2024 celebration. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

A total of 898 replicas are blessed during the Replica & Estandarte blessing and procession from January 3-4, 2024, as part of the annual line-up of activities for the Nazareno 2024 celebration.

As early as noon time, deviating from the original schedule of 1:30 p.m. on January 3, 2024, the first day of both blessing and procession activity starts with the parading of 500 replica images of the Black Nazarene with its respective accompanying music band from Carriedo St. to Plaza San Juan Plaza then turning right to Plaza Miranda, where the blessing takes place. Three out of six main Hijos Del Nazareno (HDN) groups and its affiliated Balangays participate on the first day: HDNs-NPJN, BASILICA, and MBBN.

Day 1 of the Replica and ‘Estandarte’ blessing. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

Rev. Frs. Hans Magdurulang, Jesus Madrid Jr. & Robert Arellano, LRMS, parochial vicars, assisted by Rev. Edward Jay San Diego, resident deacon, bless the images and ‘estandartes’ bearing the names of their respective Balangay groups as they pass by the church façade.

Day 2 of the Replica and ‘Estandarte’ blessing. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

On the second day of noon time, January 4, 2024, a total of 398 replicas and estandartes stride at the same route towards Plaza Miranda, where Rev. Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr., rector and parish priest, with his parochial vicars, Rev. Frs. Jonathan Noel Mojica, Jesus Madrid Jr. and other guest priests, Rev. Frs. Jeff Manlapig & Kevin Crisostomo, are in charge to bless the images. The remaining three HDNs and their Balangay sub-group participants are the HDNs CENTRAL, ANPON, and BUKLURAN.

This yearly blessing of Nazareno replica images serves as a reminder of the popular piety of the devotees of the Black Nazarene, which continues to be held sacred and passed down to succeeding generations. The devotion to the Nazareno is manifested and recognized here in this country and other parts of the world, propagated mainly by the Filipino communities.

– Kidanzac A. Tallada | ADRM & EIAM