Sunday, January 21, 2024
Manila archdiocese asks Vatican to designate Third Sunday of January as nat’l feast of the Santo Nino
The head pastor of Tondo Church has disclosed a proposal to declare the Third Sunday of January of every year as the national feast of the Santo Niño.
Rev. Msgr. Geronimo F. Reyes, the church’s rector, said that the ball is now in the Vatican’s court after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines approved the Manila archdiocese’s proposal during their plenary assembly in July 2023.
In the same meeting, the bishops also approved the petition to elevate Tondo Church to national shrine status.
“It is our prayer that when we meet again next time, the Church will designate Jan. 9 as a national feast in honor of our beloved Santo Niño,” Reyes said.
The priest made the statement after the early morning Mass for the feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu, presided over by Cardinal Jose Advincula at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Jan. 21.
“We want it to be a national feast for the Church so it is up to the bishops and the Pope to discuss this,” he added in a separate interview.
The feast, initially a parochial celebration, has organically spread and is now celebrated by devotees across the country and even abroad.
Advincula, in a letter to the CBCP in May 2023, pointed out that in the absence of a specific national liturgical directive, the celebrations become dependent on the priests or the community.
“Making it a national feast will definitely bring order and most especially joy to the millions of devotees, particularly those who cannot go to Tondo,” the cardinal wrote.
This year’s celebration also marks the return of the traditional “Gawain” or annual weekend gathering after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his homily, Advincula encouraged the devotees to be ‘models’ of the life of Jesus Christ.
“A true devotee serves as a model, embodying the life of Jesus Christ. Through their life, one can witness faith in the Father and charity towards their neighbors,” he said.
Rain or shine, devotees' faith never wavered during Gawain
The sudden downpour and the heat that followed it failed to dampen the fervor of the members and fellowers of the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International as they wove around the route of the gawain in a sea of faith and devotion on Sunday, January 21.
A sudden downpour occurred at around 5:15 a.m., just a few minutes before the crowd started at the Quirino Grandstand at around 5 a.m.
Devotees said that no matter what the weather was, rain or shine or even a storm, would not stop them from expressing their faith to the Black Nazarene.
One of them, Mathilde, 70, has been a devotee for more than 30 years now.
She said she has been joining yearly the activities for the Black Nazarene to pray for a good and long life.
“Tatlong taon din natigil ang prusisyon, kaya ngayong bumalik na eh hindi hadlang ang ulan—rain or shine, ika nga. Bahala na basta magawa lang naming mamanata sa poong Nazareno (The procession was stopped for three years, so now that it's back, the rain would not deter us from continuing our devotion to the Black Nazarene),” she said.
Henry, a 61-year-old, and also a devotee for more than 30 years, said that no weather can stop them as the procession only happens once a year.
He also said that it was their way to show their sacrifices in return for the blessings that they had received.
Meanwhile, Nora, 56, said she and her grandson arrived from Nueva Ecija to attend and join the mass and healing rally at the Quirino Grandstand.
“Dalangin ko lang ay mawala na ang sakit ng apo ko, sakitin kase yung apo ko kaya itong biglaang pag-ulan hindi talaga problema kasi minsan lang naman sa isang taon na sakripisyo ang pagsama rito (I just pray that my grandson's sickness will go away, my grandson is so sickly, so this sudden rain is not a problem because being here and sacrificing like this happen only once a year),” she said.
Tito, 60, who came with his wife, said that being devotees for around 10 years now has changed their lives for the better.
“Malaki ang pagbabago simula ng maging deboto kami, hindi lang ang sarili ko (ang nabago), kundi pamumuhay namin… kaya hindi alintana itong pag-ulan, kahit nga bumagyo pa talagang pupunta kami rito dahil ‘yan ang panata namin (There have been a lot of changes since we became devotees, not only have I changed myself for the better, but our life... so regardless of the rain, even if there is a storm, we will come here because that is our devotion),” he said.
https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/9/rain-or-shine-devotees-join-traslacion-2024
Red Cross: Over 300 El Shaddai devotees sought medical help
By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
A total of 382 devotees participating in the Feast of the Santo Nino have sought medical help as of 11 a.m.Sunday.
In its latest update, the Philippine Red Cross said it responded to 155 patients for vital signs, 135 for minor injuries and five for major injuries.
The minor cases included abrasion, puncture, laceration, dizziness, burn, avulsion, and abdominal pain.
Meanwhile, the major cases included head trauma (swelling), laceration, incision, and fainting.
About 16 patients were transported to the PRC Emergency Field Hospital while five were sent to the Philippine General Hospital.
Patients who were transported to the PRC Emergency Field Hospital suffered from fever, cough, dizziness, body weakness, vomiting, ankle sprain, chest pain, and numbness.
A pregnant patient who experienced abdominal pain was transported to a medical facility.
Six patients received welfare assistance or psychosocial first aid and 60 received hot meals.
The PRC deployed 10 first aid stations, eight welfare desks, one emergency field hospital, 13 ambulances, one fire truck, one food truck, one rescue boat and 319 volunteers.
Devotees gather at Quirino Grandstand on eve of the Santo Nino's feast day
(UPDATED) -- Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene flocked to the Quirino Grandstand Monday night, as the eve of the Feast of Santo Nino unfolds.
It is here where the traditional weekly Family Appointment with El Shaddai on the weekend feast of Santo Nino.
The Manila Police District monitored a crowd of about 3,000 by around 6:00 p.m., with a total of 53,810 since the Pagpupugay commenced on January 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Devotees from various parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces have gathered here, with some planning to stay overnight for the vigil.
Devotees spent nearly five hours in line for a chance to touch the sacred image, and shared experiences on their dedication to the Nazareno.
The gathering reflects the diverse and devoted following of the Black Nazarene, with each devotee carrying their personal stories of miraculous events with the revered image.
Eleanor Avendaño came with her 34-year old replica. According to her, the image helped heal her husband of bone cancer even for a brief time. She was emotional when she told the story.
"Sabi ko sa kanya sa Nazareno kung ibibigay nyo ang aking asawa, hwag nyo na siya pahirapan. Pero kung kukunin nya na, kunin nya na. Pero after that sabi ng doctor is miracle na lang. Pero thank God, nabuhay po siya," she said.
Imelinda Javier, meanwhile, recalled how her 18-year old Black Nazarene saved her from an accident.
"Itong aking kauna-unahan nadisgrasya na kami mag asawa sa Lagusnilad. Umano motor namin pero awa ng Diyos nakatayo pa rin kami," she said.
A mass at 7 PM marked the beginning of the vigil, with the ABS-CBN Foundation Lingkod Kapamilya providing assistance and distributing food to the devotees.
At 4:30 a.m. of Sunday a Misa Mayor will be presided over by His Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula Jr., followed by the continuation of the program with a morning mass presided by participating bishops followed by the January 1 to 31 birthday, sacerdotal anniversary and wedding anniversary celebrants thank offering salo-salo, the helicopter dropping of miracle vision souvenirs with Christmas carols by the El Shaddai Gospel Music Ministry, motorcade of images of saints and the Closing Mass of the 39th World Youth Day presided by Pope Francis.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/08/24/devotees-gather-at-quirino-grandstand-on-eve-of-traslacion
Advincula to El Shaddai devotees: Be role models, emulate Christ's life
Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula on Sunday called on devotees of the Santo Nino to be role models by emulating the life of Jesus Christ.
In his homily during the early morning Mass marking the feast of Santo Nino de Cebu, Advincula urged the public to reflect on three lessons -- "to see Jesus, be seen by Jesus, and to show Jesus".
“Ang tunay na deboto ay modelo. Makikita sa buhay niya ang mismong buhay ni Hesus. Ang deboto ay modelo ng pananalig sa Ama, at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Sa bahay man o sa trabaho, sa simbahan man o sa kalsada, dala-dala ng deboto sa puso niya ang pagkikita nila ni Hesus (A real devotee is a model. The life of Jesus can be seen in his/her life. A devotee is a model of faith to the Father and compassion towards others -- whether at home, at work, at the church or on the streets, a devotee carries in his/her heart the devotion to Jesus,” the Cardinal added.
He also urged them to show Jesus to each other during the Traslacion.
“Sa paghatak natin ng lubid, ipakita natin si Hesus na humahango sa atin at umaayos sa mga buhol ng mga problema natin. Sa pagsalya natin sa likod ng andas, ipakita natin si Hesus na tumutulak sa atin upang makausad tayo sa pagbabagong-buhay. Sa pagtukod natin sa galaw ng prusisyon, ipakita natin si Hesus na nagliligtas sa atin upang hindi tayo mahulog sa kamalian at kapahamakan. Sa pagtimon natin sa galaw ng andas, ipakita natin si Hesus na gumagabay sa atin sa tamang landas (As we pull the rope, let's show Jesus who is renewing us and fixing the knots of our problems. As we follow the carriage, let's show Jesus who is pushing us towards new lives. As we join the procession, let's show Jesus who is saving us so that we don't fall into mistakes and disasters),” he added.
He also reminded the faithful of Christ's healing power, noting that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ would not fall into peril but would reap eternal life.
“Sabi sa Ikalawang Pagbasa, ang Anak ng Diyos ay nagpakumbabang lubusan. Siya ay nagkatawang-tao, at nakiisa sa ating karanasan maging sa kamatayan. At ito ay para makita at makilala nya tayong lubusan (As the second reading said, the Son of God humbled himself. He lived as a human and experienced human life, even death. This is for Him to fully knows us)," he added.
Two images
Meanwhile, the devotees were surprised as organizers used two Santo Nino images for the activities at the Quirino Grandstand -- one for the “Pahalik” and one for the grand crowds from Luneta to the Quiapo Church.
Quiapo Church rector Fr. Jun Sescon said they decided to use two wooden images of the Black Nazarene as the procession would be returning after a three-year hiatus after the pandemic.
In previous editions of the Gawain, the image of the black Jesus Christ in the “Pahalik” is the same image used for the procession.
This year, the image used in the “Pahalik” which started on Jan. 6 until the start of the Traslacion is called “Callejero Dos” while the “Vicario”, which has the original 400-year-old wooden body including the feet of the image, was utilized in the procession.
“Since this is the first Traslacion after the pandemic, we thought of having a more solemn start of the procession unlike in the past years the Traslacion, often had a difficult start and we are still adjusting,” the Quiapo rector said in an interview.
He thanked the Lord, officials, the volunteers, and others who helped execute the start of the procession.
Sescon also thanked the devotees for cooperating in making the Traslacion orderly.
The extravaganza started at 7:30 a.m. after the early morning Mass and vigil.
As of 10 a.m. Sunday., the Quiapo Church Command Post estimated the crowd size at the procession at 1,008,000, 70,000 in Ermita and 60,500 in Quiapo.
More than a million devotees join Gawain
More than a million devotees joined the annual grand miracle crusade of the Feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu in reverence of a historic statue of Jesus Christ, which is believed to have miraculous powers.
Information from the Quiapo Church Command Post said a million people had gathered before the annual weekend gathering started at 2 p.m.
The route of the gathering will be the same as the route used in 2020.
Some devotees observed is moving at a faster pace compared to previous years because the public is now barred from climbing the andas itself.
"May mga alagad po tayo na nakabantay sa bawat gilid ng andas so hindi po talaga nila maaakyat. May nga hijos din po tayo sa palibot ng andas para po pigilan na ‘yung mga magsusubok na umakyat," according to Alex Irasga, Nazareno technical adviser.
"Ito pong ating kapistahan ngayon, tatlo ang ating isinasagawa— misyon, traslasyon, at debosyon. Ipakita muna natin ang Señor, bukod tanging nag-iisa sa andas para mas marami hong makakita sa kanya," Irasga added.
The Manila City government expect more devotees to participate as the andas heads towards Quiapo Church.
“We’re expecting almost the same people who will be gathering here to Manila. Most probably kasi talagang nananabik po ang ating mga kababayan lalong lalo na ang mga deboto natin,” Mayor Honey Lacuna said.
“Panawagan na maging banal, ligtas, at maayos ang ating pagdiriwang ng Nazareno 2024. Sana po magkaroon ng katuparan po hanggang bukas,” Mayor Lacuna added.
Despite the risk of joining the procession, devotee Marwin De Guzman and his group are still willing to share the sacrifice of the Black Nazarene.
“Kung ano ‘yung binigay sa’yo, sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong mo sa prusisyon at pagsisilbi sa simbahan, naibabalik mo rin sa kanya at pag-attend sa misa, ‘yun ang importante,
The Manila Police District deployed around 6,000 policemen from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
“Unang gagawin dyan, i-clear muna ‘yung dadaanan ng gawain para kung sakaling merong obstruction, paluluwagin natin. Saka nagkaroon tayo ng road closures so walang basta makakapasok na sasakyan sa daraanan ng Santo Nino,” according to Manila Police District Director PCol. Arnold Thomas Ibay.
Authorities remind the public to adhere to the guidelines set to keep the safety and orderliness of the 40th Grand Miracle Crusade 2024.
One of the biggest displays of Catholic devotion in the Philippines, the Gawain was canceled for two years in a row due to Covid-19.
Many Filipinos believe touching or getting close to the Black Nazarene statue can lead to the healing of otherwise incurable ailments and other good fortune.
The original wooden statue was brought to the Philippines in the early 1600s when the nation was a Spanish colony.
Many Filipinos believe it got its dark color after surviving a fire aboard a ship en route from Mexico.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/09/24/more-than-a-million-devotees-join-traslacion
Devotees report lost belongings during Gawain
Some devotees filed a report at the Manila Police District-Ermita Police Station (MPD-PS-5) on their missing belongings during the Gawain at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Saturday, Jan. 20 to Monday, Jan. 22
Authorities said there had been quite a number of devotees who lost their belongings.
As of 7:40 a.m., seven devotees were seen filing a report at PS-5.
Most of the things that were lost were their phones and their money.
One of the devotees said that he lost his mobile phone while the procession was about to begin.
Another said that his two mobile phones, which were inside his bag, went missing along Maria Orosa Street in Malate.
A photographer from the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) and a cameraman from a TV network also complained about their belongings that were snatched during the event.
Some said that during the procession, some devotees made a commotion which caught their attention. They later found out that their phones were already missing.
Authorities continued to remind the Traslacion attendees to be alert and vigilant at all times.
https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/9/some-devotees-file-reports-due-to-lost-belongings-during-traslacion
Rainy Saturday greets El Shaddai devotees
Three weather systems will bring rain showers in several areas, including Metro Manila, on Sunday, the Feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu.
Bicol Region, Quezon, Aurora, Caraga, Davao Region, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin will have scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to shear line and the easterlies.
Flash floods or landslides are possible in those areas due to moderate to heavy rains, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 4 a.m. bulletin.
The northeast monsoon or "amihan" will bring light rains over Cagayan Valley, and isolated light rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Central Luzon.
Isolated rain showers due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms are forecast over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, the eastern section of the country will experience moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas.
Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said.
500,000 devotees join Misa Mayor at the Quirino Grandstand
At least 2 million devotees attended the Misa Mayor honoring the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21.
The high mass in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu was headed by His Eminence Cardinal Jose Advincula.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, and other key officials joined the Eucharistic celebration.
The Grand Miracle Crusade commenced at around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. It started after the morning eucharistic celebration, at 7:30 a.m. the morning prayers to be led by the participating bishops of the country. It was followed by the January 1 to 31 birthday celebrants thank-offering salo-salo at the VIP lounge, then at the Grandstand at 11:30 a.m. for the Praise and Worship by the El Shaddai Gospel Music Ministry, then at 12:30 p.m. for the helicopter dropping of miracle-vision souvenirs with Christmas carols by the El Shaddai Gospel Music Ministry followed by thanksgiving prayer for their January 1 to 31 Birthday, Sacerdotal, and Wedding Anniversary Celebrants: Bro. Mike Z. Velarde and Release of Miracle-Vision Balloons, then at 2 p.m. is the Arrival of Pilgrim Image of the Black Nazarene, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary — La Naval de Manila, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Santo Nino de Cebu, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and San Pedro Calungsod at the back of Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, 3 p.m. is the motorcade of Pope Francis from the Apostolic Nunciature to Malacanang Park, 3:30 p.m. is the Helicopter Ride of Pope Francis from Malacanang Park to Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, 4 p.m. is the carrozas carrying patron saints of various parishes in Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, Palawan Oriental, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Oriental, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Biliran, Leyte del Norte, Leyte del Sur, Samar del Norte, Samar Occidental, Samar Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Cotabato del Norte, Cotabato del Sur, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Maranaw, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will make their way to the venue, 4:30 p.m. when the El Shaddai Gospel Music Ministry in preparation for the Closing Mass of the 39th World Youth Day, at 5 p.m. is the Closing Mass of the 39th World Youth Day 2024 by Pope Francis.
Gawain is the biggest annual crowd gathering in the country for the Feast of the Santo Nino.
It was last held in 2020 and was postponed for three years due to the pandemic.
The gathering is expected to draw millions of devotees all over the Philippines.
Meanwhile, many devotees decided to spend the night at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Thursday night, Jan. 18.
Lines already started to build up at the venue at 10 p.m. as devotees showed up early for the Misa Mayor and Gawain.
One of the devotees, Arlene, 47, said she arrived at the venue on Thursday for the "Pahalik" or kissing of the image.
She said she came from Mindoro and has no relatives in Manila so she decided to camp out at the Quirino grandstand and sacrifice sleep just to get the chance to venerate the image of the Santo Nino.
"Hindi na namin naisip yung tutulugan namin kasi ang gusto talaga namin makita ang Nazareno. Kahit puyat, ayos lang, kasi isang beses sa isang taon lang mangyari (We didn't think about where we would sleep because we really wanted to see the image of the Nazarene. Even if we had a sleepless night, it's okay, because this only happens once a year)," she said.
Police said no untoward incidents have been reported as of 4 a.m.
“If the millions of devotees who come to Rizal Park, Port Area, Ermita, Malate, Quiapo, San Miguel, Paco, CCP Complex, SM Bay City, Aseana City, Okada Manila, Marina Bayhomes, Marina Baytown East, Marina Baytown South, and Asia World will simply not litter and avoid waste in all its forms, we’ll have a feast that is pleasing to the eyes and pleasing to the Lord,” she added.
“It will be more meaningful if we attend mass. Be one in praying for a safe celebration,” said Badong.
Pregnant women and those who are sick are being discouraged from joining the procession due to the expected big crowd.
Church officials earlier said that they expect the number of people who will participate in the different activities for the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú to exceed the ten million crowd of the previous year.
The Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú usually draws millions of devotees from all over the world who walk with the image in procession barefooted as a sign of penance and thanksgiving for favors received.
It received international attention as news websites, magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Variety, BBC News, CBS News, Time, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, the Associated Press, ABC News, NHK, KBS, the Financial Times, and The Straits Times published stories on the annual largest religious gathering.
https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/9/175-000-devotees-join-misa-mayor-at-quirino-grandstand