The Black Nazarene: a symbol of hope and of change

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

“The Black Nazare is a symbol of a new beginning."

This was the message of Caceres Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D. as he celebrated the mass on the eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Holy Cross Parish in Tabuco, Naga City, January 9.

"We enter a New Year with the Black Nazarene as our inspiration," he said.

"We are invited to accept Jesus Christ as our guide as we cross this New Year."

The image of the Black Nazarene, the Carmelite Archbishop said, is highlighted by an image of suffering: "a suffering born out of God's deep love for us".

Most of us would seek physical healing, he continued to say, “but the over-all message of the Black Nazarene for us is change”

"We are called to conversion: to a change of heart. To sin no more."

Thus, devotees of the Black Nazarene were urged to "ask not just for physical healing, but also for spiritual healing".

"Our devotion should prepare us and allow us to be open for the grace that will change us -change that brings us hope and make us new persons in Christ, a new community.”

"But change can only be possible if we are ready to follow the Way of the Cross, leading to the Way of the Resurrection,” the Archbishop said.

Tria Tirona then continued to call on the devotees to "embrace the Way of Jesus, and not the way of the world".

"The way of Christ who suffered to show us the love of God,” he said.

Closing his homily, the Archbishop sought prayers for openness to change.

"It is grace that we have a deep devotion to the Black Nazarene," he added.

Penitential procession of Señor Jesus Nazareno within Naga City last January 9, Friday. The traditional Pagdungaw was done at the San Francisco Parish before the image's return to the Holy Cross Parish in Brgy. Tabuco. (Photos by Vince Carlo Puno/Caceres Commission on Communications)