Papal Nuncio amazed at inspiring faith of simple Filipinos – Tagle
The huge crowd of barefoot devotees that attended the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Tuesday amazed new Papal Nuncio to
the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Caccia.
The devotees had gathered for the traditionally “pahalik” (kissing) and camped at the park in preparation for the Mass as prelude to the annual 'traslacion" of the Black Nazarene.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said the Nuncio was particularly amazed by the faith of Nazarene devotees which he only heard of before.
"Even before he was assigned here, he already heard so much about the devotion of Filipinos... So he wanted to (personally) see," the Cardinal told newsmen.
And so, when the Nuncio saw the huge crowd in Luneta, he was in awe, Tagle shared.
"He said: Look at how the faith of the simple people could inspire us," he recalled the Nuncio, who attended the Mass as saying.
"I told him it’s not yet the (whole) crowd as the traslacion is still later," the Cardinal added.
Tagle was the homilist in the Mass officiated by Quiapo Rector Monsignor Hernando Coronel at the Quirino Grandstand Monday midnight. The “traslacion” — a procession commemorating the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Bagumbayan (old Intramuros) to Quiapo Church started off smoothly at 5 a.m Tuesday and was moving fast two hours early compared to the previous years until it crossed Jones Bridge by lunch time. The procession started to slow down when the devotees accompanying the carriage bearing the revered image of the Black Nazarene started negotiating the narrow streets of Dasmarinassten route to the Basilica Minore (Quiapo church). The statue entered the Basilica at about 3 a.m. yesterday ending the 22-hour ‘traslacion’ with one fatality – Senior Jail Officer 4 Ramildela Cruz – who suffered a heart attack and close to 500 persons injured.
Dela Cruz has left the service in August last year. Msgr. Coronel expressed his condolences to the family of dela Cruz.
Authorities said Dela Cruz was with another jail officer during the ‘traslacion’ when he asked for assistance at a medical station because of stomach pains at about 1 a.m. yesterday. Authorities said Dela Cruz who was intoxicated did not complain about chest pains and refused to be brought to the hospital. He reportedly has not taken his medicine two days prior to the procession.
Broken wheel
The Philippine Red Cross, on the other hand reported about 800 persons injured, including one who sustained a suspected neck and spine injury as a result of a fall. In 2016, two persons died during the ‘traslacion’.
Organizers and the police were hoping to end the procession by midnight but National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde said aside from narrow streets, one of the wheels of the carriage was damaged and the organizers had to use a forklift to move the carriage.
Albayalde said the ‘traslacion’ was “generally peaceful. “We have not recorded any major security and untoward incident,” he added.
“Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said," There was an increase in the number of devotees that is why there was really a huge crowd in the entire route, more especially in the Quiapo area." Aside from this, Fr. Badong said many parties and gambling activities within the procession route also contributed to the "slow down."
Part of devotion
Cardinal Tagle likewise cautioned against labeling the demeanor of the devotees as “chaotic” in expressing their faith.
"Let us also be careful in saying such a comment because for those who are part of the procession, they don’t look at it as chaotic. It’s part of the experience," he said.
"If you have millions (of people) with a goal of not just walking but to get close to the Nazareno, you will see movements, but it’s not chaos," added Tagle.
Rogelio Lim said all his wishes came true since he became a Black Nazarene devotee in 1977.
“My child is now a medicine graduate,” he told Reuters. “I have been spared diseases. I have been blessed with a house. Everything we wished for. A good job. Everything. This is why I am here, to thank Him.”
Alvin Carlos said he felt stronger after touching the Black Nazarene.
“Rain or shine, I gained the strength to continue because of my strong faith in Him,” he said.
Tagle likewise blamed the pile of garbage left by devotees to the lack of visible waste baskets.
"From the areas that I passed by, when I checked if there were waste baskets I noticed that some places had none. Maybe next time to lessen the trash there should be visible waste baskets where people can throw their trash," Tagle said.
The trash left by devotees filled up 28 dump trucks, fewer than last year’s 34 dump trucks. (With reports from AFP, Reuters, Analou de Vera, and Anna Liza V. Alavaren)