Catholic devotees raise their hands during mass outside Quiapo Church to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila on Jan 9, 2023. - AFP
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): On the Feast of the Black Nazarene, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr on Monday (Jan 9) told devotees that their faith can help conquer looming storms in their lives.
“Indeed, it is through our faith that we can conquer the storms that loom ahead of us and bring forth a life filled with grace and steadfastness,” Marcos said in his message.
“As the Catholic faithful expresses their devotion to the Black Nazarene, let us also remember its deep rootedness in our Filipino culture of overcoming the great trials and tribulations in our midst,” he added.
Marcos also said that Filipinos should take the tradition of transferring the image of the Nazareno from Intramuros to Quiapo as a “symbolic movement of our collective earthly journey, finding new meaning in our passions and sufferings as people.”
The President further urged Filipinos to centre their existence around love, hope and compassion amid “these extraordinary times.”
“Together, let us embody these values as we write a new chapter in our nation’s narrative so we can altogether usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all,” he said.
Instead of the traditional “Traslacion” procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, a Walk of Faith in Manila was held over the weekend.
The “Traslacion” from Intramuros to Quiapo Church was suspended since 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
