Daily Tribune
(FILE PHOTO) Devotees gathered in Quiapo, Manila, and nearby areas on Thursday, 2 January, to have their replicas of the “Jesus Nazareno,” also known as the Black Nazarene, blessed under a footbridge near Quiapo Church. The blessing of these replicas and the estandarte is part of the lead-up to the Black Nazarene feast on 9 January.
Aram Lascano
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday joined millions of Filipino Catholics in commemorating the Feast of the Black Nazarene, urging the faithful to carry the values of compassion, service, and shared responsibility beyond the annual procession and into daily life.
In his message for the occasion, Marcos reflected on the deep expressions of sacrifice, perseverance, and solidarity shown by devotees who take part in the yearly celebration centered at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.
“As we mark this year’s Feast, I invite everyone not only to reach for the Nazareno’s image, but to let this devotion guide the way we think, act, and help one another long after the procession has passed,” the President said.
He stressed that the perseverance shown by devotees should also be reflected in everyday choices.
“If we can go through great lengths for a moment of contact with the image, we can also persevere in the daily work of choosing honesty over falsehood, service over self-interest, and compassion over indifference,” he added.
Marcos expressed hope that the celebration would strengthen Filipinos’ commitment to support one another, promote fairer access to opportunities, and sustain hope amid daily challenges.
“May this celebration deepen our shared vow to carry one another’s burdens, share opportunity more fairly, and keep hope alive in the everyday choices that we make to build a more humane and faithful Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.
The President noted that the annual procession serves as a powerful reminder of the character of Filipino faith.
"Every year, the procession of the Nazareno reminds us that Filipino faith walks barefoot on hot pavement, squeezes through crowded streets, and bears upon its shoulders the daily worries of our countrymen striving for a more certain tomorrow,” Marcos said.
He added that within the crowd are stories of sacrifice and perseverance, alongside strong community spirit and solidarity that help families and communities endure hardship.
“The image of the Lord stumbling under the weight of the cross speaks to a people who know how it is to be tired, yet still choose to rise and move forward together,” he said.
Marcos also said the prayers and stories of devotees highlight the need for more effective governance and responsive public services.
“By listening to their hopes, aspirations, and prayers, we come to see the gap between the burdens people carry and the support they receive, and recognize where wiser governance and more responsive services can help bridge that distance,” he said.
He concluded by wishing devotees a “safe, solemn, and meaningful observance” of the feast.
To help ensure an orderly celebration, Marcos earlier declared Jan. 9, 2026, a special non-working day in the capital, as millions of devotees were expected to flock to Quiapo for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
