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Barangay Visitation: Journey Together with the Parish Patron

Jul. 05, 2023 08:06 AM

Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Rector & Parish Priest presides the Eucharistic Mass celebration inside Dela Paz basketball court during the third day of the Barangay Visitation on June 22, 2023 in honor of the patron, St. John the Baptist (Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church) 

Quiapo, Manila – In the course of preparations for the upcoming Patronal Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the St. John the Baptist Barangay Visitation was conducted again this year to every barangay under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene, commonly known as St. John the Baptist Parish. This activity, together with the Ministry of Barangay Affairs and the cooperation of Basic Ecclesial Community, HDN-Bukluran and HDN-MBBN, aims to make St. John the Baptist be well-known more throughout the communities of Quiapo, in propagating devotion to him and paying homage to his intercession to his cousin, our Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno. 

On June 20, 2023, after the 12:15 n.n. mass, the Fiesta 2023 Barangay Visitation kickstarted with the image of St. John the Baptist brought at Barangay 392 headed by Chairwoman Corazon Ace. At 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon, a catechesis was delivered with the participation of the youth members of Parish Youth Ministry (PYM), who led the ‘action song’. This was followed by the 9-day novena prayers to St. John the Baptist. Lastly, the Eucharistic Mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Paul Medina, O Carm. The image stayed in the barangay for an overnight vigil care of HDN-Bukluran Kabataan with offerings of prayers made. 

Second day of Barangay Visitation on June 21, 2023 this 2023 Patronal Feast of St. John the Baptist (Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church) 

During the second day, June 21, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. in the morning, the image was transported to Barangay 391 led by Chairman Cecillo Mateo. Next, the image was brought to St. Joseph Chapel at Soler Ext., where another catechism was given followed by the recital of nine-day novena prayer, and Holy Mass celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Egay Doroteo, MMSJ. The image was then carried to Barangay 394, where Chairwoman Lipana welcomed it for another overnight vigil and veneration by the residents of that place. 

Third day of Barangay Visitation on June 22, 2023 this 2023 Patronal Feast of St. John the Baptist (Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church) 

Following the third day, June 22, 2023, the image was brought to Barangay 393 under Chairman Frederic Go near Del Pazo Basketball Court at Z.P. De Guzman St. In the afternoon, it was brought to Pagoda Basketball Court on Blk. 10, Gonzalo Puyat. Due to the heavy rain, the image was brought inside the Del Pazo basketball court, where the Eucharistic Mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Rector & Parish Priest. After the Mass, the image visited Barangay 307 led by Chairman Johnny dela Cruz for its third overnight vigil. On the last day, June 23, 2023, another Holy Mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Earl Valdez, Attached Priest followed by the return of the image of St. John the Baptist to the tune of karakol composed by members of Kolektora, HDN-Bukluran Kababaihan and women of BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community). Despite another heavy downpour of rain, happiness reigned as the image headed successfully back to his home of the Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno. 

Karakol dance bringing the image of St. John the Baptist home to Quiapo Church marking the end of the Barangay Visitation 2023 (Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church)

This annual Barangay Visitation is believed to have started during the term of Msgr. Ramirez, however, this had formally started during the time of former Rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel. This barangay visitation involves series of overnight visitation to different barangays in connection with the celebration of BEC Sunday marking the culmination of the activity at Del Pazo basketball court and back to the church. 

– Marlon A. Quintana | FLM-BEC