 |
| Black is beautiful |
The image of the Black Nazarene dates back to the 17th century when it was brought to the Philippines by a Spanish priest onboard a galleon (a Spanish ship used in trade). When the ship caught fire, the image was burned and thus came to be known as the Black Nazarene.
Though the image was burnt, the people decided to preserve and honor it. Since then, miraculous things have been reported to happen to those who touch the image. And with every report of the miracle said to be given by the Black Nazarene, devotees gradually increased in number.
Timeline
- May 10, 1606 – image of the Black Nazarene arrived in Manila and was first enthroned in the first church of the Recoletos in San Juan de Bagong Bayan
- 1608 – the statue of the Black Nazarene was transferred to Intramuros
- January 9, 1787 – it was transferred to its permanent residence in Saint John the Baptist church, popularly known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene
- Spanish era - devotees organized themselves in confraternities called Cofradia
As years went by, female members were also accepted and the Sub-Cofradia was established with members coming from the common people of the community. With the increasing number of devotees, the group named Archi-Cofradia was then made to organize all the existing Cofradias.
At present, the heir of these Cofradias is known as the Hijos del Nazareno Hesus. The ladies are called the Ladies of the Black Nazarene. The devotees now come from all levels of society with the majority coming from the sector of the poor and the laboring class.
Over the years, the image of the Black Nazarene has endured numerous disasters such as storms, earthquakes and fires. In the 1990s, however, the Black Nazarene's left cheek was damaged by a gunshot.
http://mb.com.ph/node/237467/who-black-nazarene
And, if you're asking, it does have papal approval. Pope Innocent X in 1650 set up the "Cofradia" and encouraged devotion to the Black Nazarene.
3 comments:
The daughters are known as Hijas de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.
Hijo vs. Hija is a gender term for "son or daughter". They are the ones who are seen collecting money in the Basilica during masses.
Like almost all Catholic churches in the Philippines, indulgence is traditionally preserved as a merit in the Filipino culture and can be sold or dispensed by the church, ASIDE from mass intentions purchased and donations collected during Mass.
The basilica of the Nazarene is famous for pious people who pray many many hours in the shrine on behalf of benefactors or patrons, they accept donations in exchange of praying tirelessly for you or your loved on. Not everyone agrees with this, but this is a pious cultural custom that stretches back into the old Spanish times.
I am a Filipino and a devotee of the Black Nazarene. When I moved to USA to join my wife I thought my devotion will cease but instead it only help me to endure the everyday stress of being foreign to a country of a very different culture. Indulgence (Plenary or Partial) can be granted by the Church but never be sold because this will constitute simony. Through my years of fulfilling my covenant to the Black Nazarene, sad to admit but I can not deny the claim that's been mentioned by "Anonymous" but I have no evidence that the authorities of the Basilica were involved or consented to such practices. Faith is act of the will. When I was growing up my Mom would invite people who knew how to pray in her own dialect (the Philippines has tons of dialects as it has islands) then in return would give them food and some cash, this is because nobody knows how to pray in the family but her and poor neighbors were busy earning a living. But my devotion taught me a lot, I came to know the Black Nazarene when he granted my supplication for a college scholarship. I entered the Basilica knowing only how to pray the Our Father in Tagalog (Philippines National Language) but left with a lot especially learning how to pray The Rosary in English. This devotion helped me to know God more and love him more. Now in the US I can say Pater Noster and Mater Dei, and love studying and reading books about theology (thanks to EWTN). All I am saying is true devotion is a gift of the Holy Spirit. The power of God can not be bought and God can not be mocked, true Catholics know this. God is omniscient, he knows everybody's heart. Indulgence is not bad, together with the Sacrament of Penance it is a way to reconcile with God. In the end true Catholics trust in God because God is all knowing and He knows what he's doing. God bless.
This is Anonymous. I am a faithful Roman Catholic loyal to the Magisterium of the church.
I do not oppose the sale of indulgence. If devotees are willing to donate their money to buy indulgence in Heaven, that is OK. It is their choice and it is their wallet. The Treasury of Merit has enough grace in Heaven for everyone. It supports the church, its structure and the propagation of the faith.
The cultural custom of pious Filipinos who stay at the Basilica ALL day, every day praying for people who donate money to them for indulgence is a pious custom long-held since Spanish era. I do not pass judgment on those people, especially since WE do not know their intentions, whether bad or good.
The Basilica of the Nazarene does not prohibit or endorse this indulgent practice either way. What the Basilica opposes is the sale of Abortifacients and Abortion surgeries surrounding the vicinity.
Post a Comment