Roman Catholic history tells that the image, which was originally white, came from a boat that caught fire, turning it into its black or charred complexion. The feast, celebrated on January 9th, is a day when thousands of devotees converge and carry the image into the streets for procession in a caroza or carriage.
Although Quiapo was where the intensity of the devotion flourished, Filipinos all over the world have celebrated the Feast of the Black Nazarene. In Northern California, one of the longest and widely recognized gatherings of devotees to celebrate the feast, has been done by Asian Journal entertainment columnist Ferdie Villar.
The 18th century replica image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno was brought by Villar from Ilocos Sur from San Francisco in 1978 and was owned his mother, the late Dona Mercedes Syquia de Villar. Both Villar and his mother are devotees of the Black Nazarene, and he fondly reminisces the times they go to Quiapo Church for their Friday devotion, as well as attending the feast every January 9. For over 30 years, Villar has organized the nine-day novena and Holy Mass, starting on the first day of January. Over the years, thousands of devotees attend and pay their respects to the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.
For this year, heading the list of Hermano Mayors for this year’s feast is State Board Member of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and Daly City Planning Commissioner Renato "Ray" Benitez Satorre. A devotee of the Black Nazarene, Commissioner Satorre shared that his mother used to take him with her to Quiapo for their Friday novenas. In fact, he said, one of his siblings was born on the feast day itself.
Even though he is the highest appointed Filipino-American official in the state of California, Commissioner Satorre exudes humility and respect for his devotion and faith to the Black Nazarene. In between discussions of his plans to run as Councilor in Daly City, he wipes the hand of the image with the white cloth, as seem to be saying a prayer of guidance.
Of course, we are not going to go discuss politics here. But Commissioner’s Satorre successes may also be attributed to his humility and faith, just as many of those who have paid their respects every year to the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.
Since January 1, Filipinos and Fil-Ams in the Bay Area have flocked the Villar residence for the Holy Rosary, Novena and Holy Mass. On January 9, the fiesta of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno will start at 1pm with a Holy Mass to be officiated by Rev. Father Rene Ramoso, Pastor of Saint Augustine Church in South San Francisco.
( www.asianjournal.com )
( Published January 7, 2009 in Something Filipino Magazine p. 2 )
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