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MISA MAYOR 2024: ROAD TO NATIONAL FEAST IN HONOR OF ‘HESUS NAZARENO’

Mar. 17, 2024 02:41 PM

The Black Nazarene image mounted on a small altar positioned at the center stage of Luneta Grandstand this Misa Mayor on January 9, 2024. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

LUNETA GRANDSTAND – “It is our prayer that when we meet again next time, the Church will designate January 9 as a national feast in honor of our beloved Black Nazarene” are the optimistic words with prayer, faith, and hope by Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Basilica-Shrine Rector, as he disclosed to the multitude of 83,210 devotees during the concluding part of Misa Mayor presided over by H.E. Cardinal Jose Advincula Jr., Archbishop of Manila, at Luneta Grandstand this midnight of January 9, 2024.

Rev. Fr. Sescon Jr. (leftmost first row) announces the church’s campaign plans to designate January 9th as National Feast of the Black Nazarene to all devotees (second picture first row to leftmost second row) during the Misa Mayor 2024 (rightmost second row). Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

The proposal of a National Feast Day of the Black Nazarene comes after granting the church’s petition for the title of National Shrine on July 9, 2023, during the 126th plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Kalibo, Aklan. This campaign movement awaits an official decision from the Vatican court as of Rev. Fr. Sescon Jr.’s announcement.

Hijos del Nazareno Central with Pres. Eugenio ‘Boy’ Jungco & Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan with Vice Mayor (left to right first row) and members from the Holy Face of Jesus (HFSJ) & members of Philippine National Police (PNP) (left to right second row). Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

As he articulates the catchphrase of ‘Never-ending gratitude’ (Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat), Rev. Fr. Sescon Jr. acknowledged all who cooperated and collaborated in making this Nazareno 2024 celebration successful: various media partners and networks, all barangay officials of Quiapo district, a technical working group (TWG) headed by Mr. Cristopher ‘Bong’ Grajo, Mr. Alex Irasga, Mr. Johnny Yu, multi-agency command center (MACC) volunteers, seminaries, mandated ministries and organizations, Fiesta & Procession committee and logistics team of Quiapo Church, different churches and 33 fiesta masses, volunteers from the Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus (HFSJ), Archdiocese Liturgical Commission (ALC), main six groups of Hijos Del Nazareno (HDN) and its corresponding Balangay affiliates and HDN-Kababaihan. Further, he extends his gratitude to Manila Mayor Shiela Lacuna-Pangan Cong. Joel Chua [of Quiapo district], Vice Mayor Yul Servo, and Police Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay for their full assistance in deploying local, national, and regional sources to meet the three standards of a solemn, secured, and safe celebration.

Cardinal Advincula Jr. giving his homily this Misa Mayor 2024 (left) & Nazareno image (right). Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

During the homily of this vigil mass, Cardinal Advincula Jr. emphasizes three points each devotee should exhibit in anticipation of the return of the traditional ‘Traslacion’ procession of the Black Nazarene with profundity (mataimtim), arduousness (marubodob) and adoration (mapagmahal) after three years of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘Makita si Hesus’ (To see Jesus), ‘Makita ni Hesus’ (To be seen by Jesus) and ‘Maipakita si Hesus’ (to show Jesus).

On the first point, ‘Makita si Hesus’ (To see Jesus), Cardinal Advincula Jr. simplifies this to say that we see Jesus because of our simple perception and appreciation for all His blessings given to us. He adds, “Sinumang mananalig sa Poong Hesus Nazareno ay hindi mapapahamak kundi magkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan” (Whoever places his faith in Lord Jesus the Nazarene shall not be doomed but will receive eternal life).

The second point, ‘Makita ni Hesus’ (To be seen by Jesus), Cardinal Advincula Jr. established that before we even seek God, He has been looking for us first, watching over and after us. He quotes: “Walang karanasan ng tao na di nakikita, di nauunawaan ng Poong Hesus Nazareno. Nauunawaan niya ang anumang pinagdaraanan natin.” (There is no human experience our Lord Jesus the Nazarene did not undergo. He completely understands everything what we are going through). When Jesus sees us, He will favor us, help us, be with us, and bless us, Cardinal Advincula Jr. adds.

Some devotees patiently hearing the Misa Mayor 2024 at Luneta Grandstand in anticipation of the return of Traslacion procession. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

His last and third  point, ‘Maipakita si Hesus’ (To show Jesus), demonstrates that as a devotee, we become the ‘instruments’ for everyone to discover Jesus. He describes a real devotee as a ‘real model living the holy life of Jesus’. He attaches this phrase: “Modelo ng pagmamahal sa Ama at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa” (Exemplar of unconditional love for the Father and compassion for his brethren).

With the comeback of the Traslacion procession in a few hours from now, Cardinal Advincula Jr. gives out his takeaways relating the manner of conducting the procession to the official theme:

Devotees puling the rope as the extension of the ‘andas’ during the Traslacion procession. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

“Sa paghatak natin ng lubid, ipakita natin si Hesus na humahango sa atin at umaayos sa mga buhol ng problema natin” (As we pull along the rope, may we show Jesus uplifting us and untying the knots of our life struggles); “Sa pagsalya natin sa likod ng andas, ipakita natin si Hesus na tumutulak sa atin upang makausad tayo sa pagbabagong buhay” (In pushing the carriage, may we experience Jesus pushing us forward too toward a new life); “Sa pagtukod natin sa galaw ng prusisyon, ipakita natin si Hesus na nagliligtas sa atin upang hindi tayo mahulog sa kamalian at kapahamakan” (When we support throughout the movement of the procession, let us reveal Jesus, our savior from all our sins so that we may not fall in danger);  “Sa pagliko natin sa galaw ng andas, ipakita natin si Hesus na gumagabay sa atin sa tamang landas” (As we steer the movement of the carriage, let us show that Jesus is guiding us towards the right path); “Sa pagpasan natin ng pingga, ipakita natin si Hesus na binubuhat ang mga kalooban natin sa tuwing pinaghihinaaan tayo ng loob” (as we carry the lever of the carriage, let us manifest that Jesus is also carrying our burdens when our souls are getting weary); and “Sa pagprusisyon natin, ipakita natin si Hesus na inaakay tayo sa pagbabago ng buhay” (As we march down this procession, let us show that Jesus is leading us towards changing our lives for the better).

The unveiling of the new model of ‘andas’ with the pre-enclosed Black Nazarene image on a glass marking the start of the official return of Traslacion procession. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

At 4:27 a.m., Rev. Edward Jay San Diego led the morning prayer earlier than 5:00 a.m., as indicated on the program’s original schedule. Finally, at 4:45 a.m., the much-awaited glorious revival of Traslacion officially commenced with unveiling the brand-new model of andas mounted with the image of the Black Nazarene enclosed by a sturdy laminated glass—and the  word ‘Salya,’ a sacred word for the Nazareno devotees which means to move forward, is heard again.

– Kidanzac A. Tallada | ADRM & EIAM