A true devotee is a role model, Filipino cardinal reminds

The Archbishop of Manila, Philippines, reminded devotees to become reflections of the Lord’s life.

“A devotee is a role model of faithfulness to the Father and compassion to their neighbors,” said Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.

“Whether in their homes, their workplaces, in the church, or out in the streets, devotees must carry in their hearts... the loving gaze of Jesus,” he said.

The cardinal delivered the homily during the Midnight Mass for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, one of the biggest religious gatherings in the country.

This annual event held every January 9 features a procession known as “Traslacion.”

It commemorates the transfer of the 15th-century life-size statue of a dark-skinned Jesus carrying the cross from its original home in Intramuros, Manila, to its current basilica in the city’s Quiapo district.

Millions of devotees pull the ropes attached to a carozza bearing "Jesus Nazareno" and throw towels in an effort to touch the miraculous image during the procession.

Cardinal Advincula reminded devotees to “show Jesus to one another” during the hours-long procession.

“When we pull the ropes [of the carozza], let us show Jesus, who... unties the knots of our problems,” said the prelate. “When we push behind the [carozza], let us show that Jesus pushes us to move towards conversion.”

Moreover, Cardinal Advincula explained that devotees should not only aim to deliver Jesus to other people but also let the Lord see through them.

“No human experience goes overlooked by Jesus Nazareno,” he said. “He sees the suffering of the sick. He sees the weariness of workers. He sees the perseverance of the poor. He sees the sacrifices of honest public servants. He sees the OFWs longing for home and their loved ones.”

“He knows the chill of the naked and homeless. He sees the growling stomachs of the hungry and thirsty. He sees the repentance of a sinner. He sees the perseverance of each one of us, the dreams of children, and the hard work of adults. He sees all of us and knows our feelings. He understands whatever we are going through,” he also said.

This year’s feast marks the return of the Black Nazarene to the streets of Manila after a three-year hiatus from the Traslacion because of pandemic restrictions.

To further protect the antique image, the “carozza” was installed with a tempered glass enclosure, similar to the one used in the Popemobile.

In addition to January 9, the procession of this miraculous image of Jesus Christ takes place on two other occasions: every Good Friday to mark its liturgical feast and on December 31 to commence its nine-day novena. - Luke Godoy