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OPENING MASS & PAHALIK OF NAZARENO 2024 AT LUNETA GRANDSTAND

Mar. 17, 2024 02:39 PM

Interagency and volunteer partners gather to hear the opening mass of Nazareno 2024 at Luneta Grandstand on January 6, 2024. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

LUNETA GRANDSTAND – Quiapo Church parochial vicar, Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang calls on all interagency and volunteer partners stationed to secure the annual festivities this Nazareno 2024 to embody a sense of mission in this ‘Traslacion in life’ during the 6:00 p.m. inaugural mass on January 6, 2024, at Quirino Grandstand.

Rev. Fr. Magdurulang (leftmost first picture) presides over the opening mass for Nazareno 2024 volunteers (right) at Luneta Grandstand. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

To carry on this mission, he says, is to seek God and propagate the Good News to the world. During this opening mass, Fr. Magdurulang reflects on the genuine meaning of discovering God as the prevailing devotion to Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno increases exponentially.

“Patuloy pang lalawak ang debosyon natin hangga’t may mga taong nagpapatotoo sa kanilang mabuting ginagawa; sa kanilang tamang ginagawa”. (This devotion will continue to be widespread as long as there are people who bear witness to their noble deeds.)

“Ang kahulugan ng pagiging deboto…siya’y dapat mas nakikilala ng bawat debotong inayos, debotong itinama at pinabuti ng Panginoon” (The real meaning of a true devotee, lies in recognizing by a fellow devotee’s life that has put an order, set it right, and made it better by God), he adds.

Coinciding with today’s liturgical solemnity of the Epiphany, the physical manifestation of the Lord in the human realm, Fr. Magdurulang emphasizes that by experiencing the Lord daily, we will know how to honor Him when we also come across diverse cultures, faiths, and religions.

“Marunong tayo kumilala at makaalala sa mga kapatid natin sa ibang pananamplataya, sa ibang lahi na may ibang kultura. Kahit sa ibang simbahan” (We should know how to welcome and remember our fellow brethren of different faiths, races, and cultures, even in other places of worship).

Uniformed personnel of Quiapo Church’s interagency partners for Nazareno 2024 (leftmost & second row) receives blessing from Rev. Fr. Sescon Jr. for a safe, organized and peaceful conduct of Nazareno 2024 celebration (rightmost). Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

Prior to this mass, a send-off ceremony was officiated to them by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan at Quirino Grandstand this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. According to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), 15,276 personnel from the police, security, and public safety departments are deployed to ensure an organized and peacef Nazareno 2024 celebration. They all received the blessing of guidance from Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Quiapo Church Basilica, and Shrine Rector.

A young girl is carried by her mother devotee in touching the (exposed) cross of the venerated Nazareno image during the opening of ‘Pahalik’ at Luneta Grandstand. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

Following this opening mass, which draws 1,300 people, the traditional ‘Pahalik’ (kissing) of the iconic venerated Nazarene image officially opens at 8:00 p.m. Throughout this activity, the faithful are allowed only to touch and wipe the image without kissing it in accordance with the guidelines set by the church administration. An estimated number of 2,500 devotees patiently queuing for the image. The ‘Pahalik’ activity will continuously run from January 7-8, 2024.

 – Kidanzac A. Tallada | ADRM & EIAM