In the Philippines, an annual procession honoring a centuries-old statue of Jesus attracted around 1.8 million devotees on Thursday. Many participants, often seen without shoes, offered prayers for various intentions, including health for their families, peace in the South China Sea, and a more compassionate stance towards Filipino immigrants from the incoming U.S. administration.
The event, celebrating the feast of Jesus Nazareno, stands as one of the most significant Catholic observances in Asia. The statue formerly known as the Black Nazarene has had its name changed after church officials pointed out that the previous term was historically unfounded and could be construed as a racial slur.
The procession commenced before dawn and continued for nearly 21 hours, winding its way through a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route. The statue was finally enshrined within the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, commonly known as Quiapo Church, at 1:25 a.m. on Friday. Police estimates indicated that the crowd swelled to approximately 1.8 million during the afternoon.
Comparatively, last year saw over 2 million participants in a 15-hour procession, with some estimates suggesting participation numbers could have exceeded 6 million. Reverend Father Robert Arellano of Quiapo Church mentioned that this year’s event progressed more slowly due to an increase in attendees and the crowd dynamics of devotees attempting to reach the statue.
Expressions of jubilation filled the air as the statue made its way through the throngs, with participants shouting “Viva, viva!” Many clutched ropes attached to the carriage transporting the statue while waving white towels in celebration. Typically, the event attracts a large congregation of impoverished Catholics who seek miracles for their health and circumstances.
Gaspar Espinocilla, a 56-year-old city worker, has been participating in the celebrations for two decades. He shared his personal prayers for his family, particularly for his sister diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He also expressed hopes for alleviating tensions in the West Philippines Sea, a region of the broader South China Sea where the Philippines faces challenges from China regarding fishing rights.
“It’s our territory, not theirs,” Espinocilla asserted, emphasizing his sentiments while wearing a maroon T-shirt featuring the likeness of Jesus Nazareno.
Renato Reyes, who has dedicated over thirty years to his devotion, shared that his prayers extend to seeking an improved life for his family, wishing for the Philippines to be free from disasters, and calling for an end to wars abroad. He also included prayers for Filipinos at risk from potential mass deportations proposed by the upcoming U.S. administration, voicing hope that such actions would not come to pass, as many just seek to provide for their families.
Authorities reported the deployment of approximately 14,000 police, plainclothes officers, soldiers, firefighters, and volunteers for crowd management. Numerous streets were closed, and mobile network signals were disrupted to maintain order.
The Philippine Red Cross reported treating a total of 467 individuals for minor ailments like dizziness and nausea, with at least 15 needing hospital transportation. Police documented 604 cases of minor injuries by Thursday afternoon.
Originally brought to the Philippines from Mexico in 1606 by Spanish missionaries, the statue of Jesus carrying the cross has a storied history, including surviving a ship fire during its journey. While some believe the charred appearance of the statue is miraculous, historians suggest that it simply results from the aging of the mesquite wood from which it is carved.
Devotees across generations regard the statue’s survival through fires, earthquakes, and even the destruction of World War II as a symbol of its miraculous attributes.
