Serving our Lord
through devotion to the
"Black Nazarene"
Hermano & Hermana Mayor 2009
(Sonny & Suzzette Acevedo)
Begining this year (2013), the Houston Black Nazarene Prayer group will be officially changed to "Jesus, the Black Nazarene Ministry" and will finally be housed @ the Holy Family Catholic Church in Missouri City, Texas. But still dedicate this webpage to enrich the Filipino tradition and culture of celebrating the annual "Feast of the Black Nazarene" here in Texas. All are welcome to parciticapte!
"Hiram sa Diyos"
Hiram Sa Diyos ang ating buhay, Ikaw at ako'y tanging handog lamang.
Di ko ninais na ako'y isilang, Nguni't salamat dahil may buhay.
Celebrant
Monsignor Rolando Diokno
Concelebrants:
Fr. Michael Barrosa, D.S.
Fr. Luis Evardoni, D.S.
Fr. Sunny Joseph, O.S.H.
Deacon Danny Naranjo
The Black Nazarene refers to a life-sized, dark colored statue of Jesus Christ that was brought to the Philippines from Mexico by the first group of Augustinian Recollect friars sent by Spain. This statue was carved by an Aztec carpenter. Jesus is depicted genuflecting under the weight of the Cross that bore during his Passion.
The Black Nazarene arrived in Manila on May 31, 1606. The statue was initially brought to the first Recollect Church in what is now the Rizal Park (Luneta Park). In 1608, it was transferred to abigger church dedicated to San Nicolas de Tolentino in Intramuros. Then, it was transferred in 1787 by then Archbishop of Manila, Basilio Sancho de Santa Junta y Rufina, to the church in Quiapo - the name Black Nazarene of Quiapo. In Quiapo church, the image survived the great fires that destroyed the Quiapo church in 1791 and 1929. It also withstood the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863 and the destructive bombing of Manila in 1945 during World War II.
Why Black Nazarene?
It is said that the image was charred black in a fire that broke out on the ship during its trip to Manila from Mexico. It arrived on May 31, 1606, in this form and has always been depicted as such.