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The Future Homecoming Of St. John The Baptist To Quiapo Church

Jun. 22, 2023 10:32 AM

The original image of St. John the Baptist of Quiapo Church currently enshrined in the patio of St. John the Baptist Parish also known as the ‘Dambanang Kawayan’, Tipas, Taguig (Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church) 

 

Tipas, Taguig – After being enshrined in the patio of St. John the Baptist Parish, also known as the Dambanang Kawayan, from the 1980s to 1990s, the first old image of St. John the Baptist will be formally returned to its original home in the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene. This announcement was made during the farewell mass of the ‘Dalaw Nazareno’ to the Dambanang Kawayan from June 1-3, 2023, presided by Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Rector & Parish Priest last June 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. This came in time during the preparation for the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, precursor, and cousin of Jesus Christ.

Original image of St. John the Baptist positioned on top of the retablo of the altar of Quiapo Church during the Spanish-era (Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church) 

The original image used to be positioned on top of the retablo of the altar of the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene tracing its roots back to the Spanish era. From between 1980s to 1990s, The former H.E. Cardinal Jaime Sin had gifted the said image to the town of Taguig in honor and recognition of the town’s history and devotion. After three decades and more, Rev. Fr. Glenn Gaabucayan, present Parish Priest, delivered the news of the official return of the said image to its home in the church of the Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno during the aforementioned farewell mass of the Visitation of the pilgrim image of the Black Nazarene in Dambanang Kawayan. This trajectory signifies an important milestone in terms of restoring not only the cultural significance of the image as the patron saint of the church within the community, but also the strong devotion in paying homage to St. John the Baptist, who had prepared the way of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth, whom we see enshrined in the Main Altar today.

Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., Rector & Parish Priest, presided the farewell mass of the Dalaw Nazareno in ‘Dambanang Kawayan’, Tipas, Taguig on June 3, 2023, where the original image of St. John the Baptist is located (Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church) 

This year, as the Feast Day of the Birth of St. John the Baptist comes this 24th of June, may we be constantly reminded that as members of the faithful, that we should develop a bold and courageous commitment to be heralders of truth and justice especially in these trying times. Also, may St. John the Baptist serve as our role model in affirming our faith to Jesus Christ amidst a world full of intolerance, violence and wars challenging the strength of our beliefs and teachings of God. Viva San Juan Bautista de Quiapo!

– Jaime Paulo Grafil (DPRM) & Kidanzac A. Tallada (EIAM & ADRM)