cmo
01/09/10, 11:09 PM
2-million barefoot devotees
By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO and LEONARD POSTRADO
January 9, 2010, 7:55pm
http://www.mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/sea-of-humanity.jpg
The image of the Black Nazarene is surrounded by a relentless swaying sea of humanity as it makes its way to the Quiapo Church during Saturday’s reenactment of the transfer of the image to the Quiapo Church from Intramuros in 1787. (Photo by LINUS ECANDOR)
illions of Filipinos from all walks of life, most of them barefoot, endured more than 12 hours of relentless pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of and to touch the revered image of the Black Nazarene during the traditional traslacion to the Quiapo Church in Manila last Saturday.
The Manila Police District said that as early as 9 a.m., an estimated two million people were already lining the streets of Manila or toughing it out in the main procession from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.
Senior Supt. Lito Mirasol, MPD deputy chief for operations, said they received reports of many devotees collapsing starting from the 6. a.m. mass at the grandstand aside from the ensuing commotion as the procession made its way.
“We observed close to two million devotees and still increasing” as of 9 a.m., he said, adding that they expect the crowd to balloon further as the procession winds its way along narrow streets in the city.
By 6 p.m. on Saturday, the procession has yet to reach the church, and the number of people has not ebbed a bit despite the crunching sea of humanity that surged back and forth as the carriage bearing the revered image inched its way, literally, in most stretches throughout the route.
In fact, it took nearly half an hour before the Hijos del Nazareno (Sons of the Lord Nazarene) were able to transfer the life-sized image of the Black Nazarene to its carriage for the procession after the mass.
The delay was caused by devotees who rushed to the back of the stage where the centuries-old image of the Nazarene was placed.
Fr. Anton Pascual tried to pacify the devotees by leading them in praying the Lord’s Prayer and urging them to kneel down.
After much prodding, the image was finally transferred to its waiting carriage at the left side of the stage at 8 a.m., signaling the start of the traditional procession.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who concelebrated the 6 a.m. mass, explained to reporters why organizers chose to place the Black Nazarene at the back of the stage.
“They don’t want a repeat of what happened last year when people were already unruly even before I said my sermon,” he said.
"That’s why they placed it there so that people won’t get unruly. I think it’s more orderly now,” added Rosales.
In his homily, the Cardinal called on the millions of devotees to learn from Jesus Christ.
He said Christ, the Nazarene, shared important lessons such as how to live simple lives.
“Learn to live simply,” said Rosales in Filipino.
Another lesson that Christ taught, he said, is humility.
“He is a picture of humility,” Rosales said as he cited Mary’s role in teaching her Son to live simply with His foster father Joseph.
The third important lesson that Christ showed the faithful, he said, was charity.
“Lending a hand to one’s fellowman is a trait of one who is from Nazareth. That’s why he knows how to help others,” said Rosales.
Unknown to many, what is celebrated every January 9 is neither the feast day of Quiapo Church nor of the Black Nazarene but the first transfer of the image from Intramuros to the Quiapo Church in 1787. The traditional rite is called the traslacion.
For his part, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim thanked city residents and devotees from all over the country that came to celebrate the feast of the Filipinos' most beloved Christian symbol of humility and charity.
Lim, who stood as Hermano Mayor of this year's festivities, attended the Luneta mass.
“Dalhin nyo sa inyong mga tahanan at sa Maynila ang isang payak, mapagkumbaba at madamahin sa kapwa tao ang kapistahan ng Poong Nazareno,” Lim said.
"If all of us will follow what Cardinal Rosales had said in his homily, if we will all be simple, humble, and charitable, then we will all go a long and better way not only in the paths we trod everyday but within our inner selves," Lim added.
Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, Quiapo Church parish priest, in turn thanked Lim and other city key officials and department heads for their relentless support for the traditional procession. (With a report by Beng Ansula)
source (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/237734/2million-barefoot-devotees)
By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO and LEONARD POSTRADO
January 9, 2010, 7:55pm
http://www.mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/sea-of-humanity.jpg
The image of the Black Nazarene is surrounded by a relentless swaying sea of humanity as it makes its way to the Quiapo Church during Saturday’s reenactment of the transfer of the image to the Quiapo Church from Intramuros in 1787. (Photo by LINUS ECANDOR)
illions of Filipinos from all walks of life, most of them barefoot, endured more than 12 hours of relentless pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of and to touch the revered image of the Black Nazarene during the traditional traslacion to the Quiapo Church in Manila last Saturday.
The Manila Police District said that as early as 9 a.m., an estimated two million people were already lining the streets of Manila or toughing it out in the main procession from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.
Senior Supt. Lito Mirasol, MPD deputy chief for operations, said they received reports of many devotees collapsing starting from the 6. a.m. mass at the grandstand aside from the ensuing commotion as the procession made its way.
“We observed close to two million devotees and still increasing” as of 9 a.m., he said, adding that they expect the crowd to balloon further as the procession winds its way along narrow streets in the city.
By 6 p.m. on Saturday, the procession has yet to reach the church, and the number of people has not ebbed a bit despite the crunching sea of humanity that surged back and forth as the carriage bearing the revered image inched its way, literally, in most stretches throughout the route.
In fact, it took nearly half an hour before the Hijos del Nazareno (Sons of the Lord Nazarene) were able to transfer the life-sized image of the Black Nazarene to its carriage for the procession after the mass.
The delay was caused by devotees who rushed to the back of the stage where the centuries-old image of the Nazarene was placed.
Fr. Anton Pascual tried to pacify the devotees by leading them in praying the Lord’s Prayer and urging them to kneel down.
After much prodding, the image was finally transferred to its waiting carriage at the left side of the stage at 8 a.m., signaling the start of the traditional procession.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who concelebrated the 6 a.m. mass, explained to reporters why organizers chose to place the Black Nazarene at the back of the stage.
“They don’t want a repeat of what happened last year when people were already unruly even before I said my sermon,” he said.
"That’s why they placed it there so that people won’t get unruly. I think it’s more orderly now,” added Rosales.
In his homily, the Cardinal called on the millions of devotees to learn from Jesus Christ.
He said Christ, the Nazarene, shared important lessons such as how to live simple lives.
“Learn to live simply,” said Rosales in Filipino.
Another lesson that Christ taught, he said, is humility.
“He is a picture of humility,” Rosales said as he cited Mary’s role in teaching her Son to live simply with His foster father Joseph.
The third important lesson that Christ showed the faithful, he said, was charity.
“Lending a hand to one’s fellowman is a trait of one who is from Nazareth. That’s why he knows how to help others,” said Rosales.
Unknown to many, what is celebrated every January 9 is neither the feast day of Quiapo Church nor of the Black Nazarene but the first transfer of the image from Intramuros to the Quiapo Church in 1787. The traditional rite is called the traslacion.
For his part, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim thanked city residents and devotees from all over the country that came to celebrate the feast of the Filipinos' most beloved Christian symbol of humility and charity.
Lim, who stood as Hermano Mayor of this year's festivities, attended the Luneta mass.
“Dalhin nyo sa inyong mga tahanan at sa Maynila ang isang payak, mapagkumbaba at madamahin sa kapwa tao ang kapistahan ng Poong Nazareno,” Lim said.
"If all of us will follow what Cardinal Rosales had said in his homily, if we will all be simple, humble, and charitable, then we will all go a long and better way not only in the paths we trod everyday but within our inner selves," Lim added.
Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, Quiapo Church parish priest, in turn thanked Lim and other city key officials and department heads for their relentless support for the traditional procession. (With a report by Beng Ansula)
source (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/237734/2million-barefoot-devotees)