Feast of the Black Nazarene: A Testament of Devotion

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is an annual religious festival held in the Philippines that shows the devotion of believers. Also known as the Pista ng Poong Itim na Nazareno, the figure is paraded around Manila with millions of devotees following it. 

In this post, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about the Feast of the Black Nazarene, including its history and why it’s one of the most well-known religious festivals in the Philippines. 

Feast of the Black Nazarene History

The Augustinian Recollects introduced the Black Nazarene in the Philippines. However, it is not accurately known when the image was brought to the country. According to tradition and popular belief, the first Recollect friars brought the figure from Mexico in 1606. 

Despite this belief, no such account can be proved by historical records since the records state that no statue looks like the Black Nazarene on the ship with the Recollects from Mexico to the Philippines in 1606.

The figure stayed at St. John the Baptist Church in Bagumbayan, now called Luneta. Two years later, it was moved to a church built by the Recollects in Intramuros. The said church was funded by Bernardino del Castillo under St. Nicholas of Tolentino’s patronage. 

The church was destroyed in 1645 and 1658, so the Recollects constructed a new house of worship. The building lasted until World War II. During this time, the devotion to the Black Nazarene grew so much that in 1621, the Cofradia de Jesus Nazareno was founded. As a result, the devotion to the Black Nazarene was recognized by Pope Innocent X on April 20, 1650.

Basilio Sancho de Santas Justa y Rufina, the archbishop in Manila, transferred the Black Nazarene to St. John the Baptist Church in Quiapo on January 9, 1767. The transfer marked the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene or Pista ng Poong Itim na Nazareno. 

Over time, devotees increased, and the Black Nazarene’s miraculous reputation became well-known. The figure even became more famous than the parish patron, St. John the Baptist. As a result, the Quiapo Church became the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in 1988.

Why Is the Feast of the Black Nazarene Celebrated

The Black Nazarene is a statue depicting a dark-skinned Jesus Christ carrying the cross. It is one of the most famous holy figures in the Filipino piety. Hence, the Feast of the Black Nazarene or Pista ng Poong Itim na Nazareno is one of the largest religious gatherings of Filipinos. The feast attracts millions of devotees each year, with two million projected to attend this year’s Traslacion. 

The veneration of the Black Nazarene started with the Filipinos who strongly identify with Christ’s passion and suffering, which the figure depicts. Black Nazarene devotees also associate their struggles with the Passion of Christ.

Some devotees walk barefoot as a form of piety. Meanwhile, others try to ride on the figure’s carriage or wipe their handkerchief on it to obtain graces from the Black Nazarene. 

Before the Second Vatican Council, the Black Nazarene’s procession was solemn. The massive and often rowdy procession started in the 1960s when the number of devotees significantly grew, and greater hype surrounded the figure. 

Feast of the Black Nazarene Date

The Feast of the Black Nazarene or Pista ng Poong Itim na Nazareno is held on January 9 every year. The statue is placed on a carriage with flowers and lights at Quirino Grandstand, a huge open area near Manila Bay. It is then paraded with the procession ending at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, popularly known as Quiapo Church.

The Traslacion is the most popular part of the feast. It draws millions of devotees carrying handkerchiefs and venerating the Black Nazarene. Everyone attending the procession has to walk about six kilometers from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. The procession takes several hours because of the millions of devotees attending it. 

What Do People Do During the Feast of the Black Nazarene

Devotees perform several activities during the Feast of the Black Nazarene or Pista ng Poong Itim na Nazareno. Here are the main activities during the religious gathering: 

Traslacion

The Traslacion is the feast’s highlight. During the Traslacion, the image is paraded through the streets from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. Millions of barefoot devotees join the procession, going on long walks and dense crowds in hopes of touching the statue or at least having their handkerchiefs touch it. They do this because they believe it will bring blessings or miracles to their lives.

Pahalik

The Pahalik occurs before the Traslacion. During this time, the devotees line up for hours for a chance to kiss, touch, or wipe cloths on the Black Nazarene as a sign of reverence and to ask for blessings or miracles. 

Masses and Prayers

Masses are held at Quiapo Church and other nearby churches throughout the day. Devotees attend the masses to pray, seek spiritual solace, and express their devotion.

Personal Vows and Sacrifices

Devotees of the Black Nazarene perform personal acts of devotion. These include walking barefoot, carrying Black Nazarene replicas, or doing charity. These acts serve as a form of penance or thanksgiving.

What Is Traslacion?

Traslacion (from the Latin word translatio) is the act of transferring a holy object from one place to another. 

In terms of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Traslacion is the act of transferring the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. It refers to the procession that usually takes about 20 hours. The Traslacion covers about six kilometers, with millions of devotees imitating the suffering of Jesus Christ on the way to Calvary (a.k .a. enduring the procession until the Black Nazarene is brought home). )

Only Hijos del Nazareno members are allowed to be in the carriage. Meanwhile, the mamamasan are the people who are allowed to keep it moving by pulling the rope on their right shoulder. They do this because the right shoulder is more sacred (Jesus bore the cross on His right shoulder). 

Due to the huge crowd, it usually takes 30 minutes to one hour for the figure to be transferred from the altar to the carriage and about an hour and a half for the ropes to be tied up.

As an expression of their devotion, people often try to approach the carriage despite the risk of injuries or even death. Many will try to tug the rope, climb the carriage, or throw their handkerchiefs or towels at the image to bring home an essence of the holy figure and its miraculous power. 

Food to Try in Quiapo

Here’s a list of must-try food in the area: 

Fresh Lumpia

Unlike lumpia shanghai, fresh lumpia isn’t fried. As a result, it’s a healthier alternative that locals love to eat for a fulfilling and nutritious meal. 

The number one go-to spot for these bad boys is the Globe Lumpia House. The vegetables are wrapped in a thin paper-like egg wrapper. Then, the cooks slather delicious peanut sauce or brown sugar soy sauce on it. Lastly, they top it with crispy fried garlic. Fresh lumpia is packed with lettuce, ubod (palm heart), carrots, turnips, and peanuts.

Buko Sorbet

Do you want a refreshing cup of deliciousness? Try the buko sorbet from Quiapo.

The buko sorbet is creamy and full of huge chunks of fresh coconut meat, which helps people cool off after a long day with the Black Nazarene. 

You see, no one can easily beat the creaminess of coconut milk and fresh coconut meat. Luckily, this sorbet brims with both. You’ll be chewing the sorbet for the coconut meat it has. 

Kwek-Kwek

One of the most popular street foods in the Philippines is kwek-kwek. It’s a quail egg with a bright orange batter that’s deep-fried. Trust us, it’s one of the best street foods to eat in Quiapo because it’s delicious, easy to eat, and cheap. Plus, you can easily find vendors selling kwek-kwek in many spots. 

The crispy batter surrounding the rich quail egg creates the perfect contrast of textures. And don’t forget to ask the vendor to reheat it for you if it isn’t hot. 

Sotanghon

Next up on our list is the beloved sotanghon. This flavourful glass noodle is a must-try Filipino street food in Quiapo.

This dish is packed with a peppery, rich flavor, thanks to the fish sauce and annatto oil. The chewy and springy glass noodles soak up this delicious broth, adding an extra kick of freshness with the crunchy cabbage and carrots. 

You can enjoy it as is or with a hard-boiled egg, steamed chicken, or pork belly for extra richness. We recommend going for all of them since the egg and meat can take it to the next level. 

Lugaw

This dish is a Filipino rice porridge often made with cow offal.

Depending on your taste, you can have a bowl full of porridge with cow heart and large & small intestines. If you don’t feel like it, you can have the lugaw with a hard-boiled egg. Whatever way you choose, the lugaw will always turn out to be this rich, hearty porridge full of beefy goodness. 

Once you’ve chosen your adventure, the cook will add spices like green onion, chicharon (deep-fried pork skin), fried garlic, chili oil, ginger, black pepper, fish sauce, and fresh calamansi. 

Pancit Palabok

Another noodle dish that made it to the list is palabok. They’re thick rice noodles sprinkled with crushed chicharon, fried garlic, egg, black pepper, and green onion. All of these are then smothered in a thick, orange shrimp sauce. 

The richness of the sauce, strong garlicky flavor, chewiness of the shrimp, creaminess of the egg, and crunchiness of the chicharon will make you want more. In short, palabok bursts with flavor and texture you cannot miss.

Halo-Halo

You can’t go to Quiapo without getting yourself a halo-halo. This refreshing, creamy dessert is extremely popular throughout the country, making it a perfect dessert on a hot day.

Halo-halo comes with ube jam, evaporated milk, sweet brown and white beans, caramelized banana, leche flan, red and green tapioca pearls or jellies, and pinipig (rice crisps). 

Literally translating to “mix-mix”, halo-halo ingredients provide unique textures and flavors that’ll make you thank whoever invented it all your life. Plus, it’ll always have shaved ice and evaporated milk, so it’s always cold and creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Rooted in history and culture, the Black Nazarene is a grand religious event in the city of Manila. It brings together millions of devotees from all over the country each year to show their faith, devotion, and community.