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BISHOP RUFINO SESCON JR. D. D. PRESIDES OVER MISA MAYOR TO OPEN THE FEAST OF JESUS NAZARENO 2026

Jan. 13, 2026 02:00 PM

Quirino Grandstand, Manila — January 9, 2026.

The Misa Mayor was held at the Quirino Grandstand at exactly 12:00 a.m., marking the official start of the celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

In the absence of His Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula Jr., who is in Rome for the Consistory convened by Pope Leo, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Rufino Sescon, Jr. D. D.

During the Mass, Bishop Sescon reminisced about his personal journey with the devotion to the Jesus Nazareno. He recalled serving first as a priest, then being appointed Parish Priest and Rector of the Pambansang Dambana ni Poong Jesus Nazareno, and now presiding over the Misa Mayor as a bishop. He described this journey as an unending blessing received from Jesus Nazareno.

His homily centered on this year’s theme, “Dapat siyang tumaas at ako naman ay bumaba,” taken from the words of the parish patron, St. John the Baptist. Bishop Sescon emphasized that for Jesus to increase, we must decrease. He explained that Jesus Nazareno was the first to humble Himself, which is why He is exalted. “Una, siya ay bumaba nang kusa upang lalong magmahal,” he said.

Bishop Sescon encouraged devotees to willingly humble themselves, following the example of Jesus Nazareno. He also spoke strongly about the Church’s stand against corruption, particularly addressing the situation faced by the nation.

“Sa ating bayan ngayon, may mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali na at bistado na. Ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit nagdurusa na ang mga mahihirap. Ayaw bumaba kahit binabaha na at nasisira na ang bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit hindi karapat-dapat,” (In our country today, there are those who refuse to step down—even when they are wrong, even when they have been exposed. They refuse to step down even when they burden the people, even when the poor are suffering. They refuse to step down even when the nation is flooded and falling apart. They refuse to step down even when they are undeserving), he said.

He urged politicians, especially those involved in alleged flood control anomalies, to stop, step down from their positions, and show mercy to the Filipino people.

Bishop Sescon also addressed a common misconception about Jesus. He clarified that Jesus did not come merely to be with us and listen to us; rather, He came down so that we may learn how to be with Him and listen to Him.

He concluded his homily by reflecting on the human desire to increase without being willing to come down, which is contrary to what Jesus did.

The celebration concluded as Fr. Hans invited the devotees to lift their white towel and handkerchiefs and join in singing “Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.” In one voice and one spirit, the faithful offered a profound act of thanksgiving, turning the simple gesture into a powerful testimony of shared faith and unwavering trust in Jesus Nazareno.

 

 

 

John Levi Frigillana | HDN Central