Yesterday was the feast of the Black Nazarene at the St. John the Baptist Church, otherwise known as the Quiapo Church. In the news, you can see the throng of devotees encircling the float carrying the image. There were people or group of people who came earlier or even a day ahead just for the occasion. Devotees were very diversified; women and children, rich or poor, able bodied or even the weak. It is quite known that the 2nd highest official of the land, Vice President Noli de Castro was devotee himself. A practice he'd been doing even during his early teens. Sad to say, yesterdays' melee also brought casualties: 2 dead, a number of injured, a side from those separated from their troops.
In my town of Pulilan, there is also the Mahal na Senyor.It is another version of the Nazarene sheltered at a small chapel west of the town. On Friday afternoons, devotees tropped to the small chapel to hear mass. Some may believed that instead of going to the Quiapo Church, devotees can come to the smaller chapel and say their prayer. In both the Black Nazarene and the Mahal Na Senyor, devotees claimed of spiritual fulfillment, granted wishes and physical cure. Persons afflicted with ailments were cured from their illnesses. Persons with heavy and unbearable problems find solace, comfort and answers to their woes. If anybody stranger to the faith will hear this, surely finds it unbelievable, unrealistic.
Be it true, false or unrealistic, it was one man's choice and practice of faith that matters.
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