Black Nazarene Fiesta 2012

Feast Day of the

Black Nazarene of Houston

14 January 2012

10:00 AM

Holy Family Catholic Church

1510 Fifth Street

Missouri City, Texas 77489

(Excerpts from the Archdiocese of Manila)

This year, marked the 405th year that the Black Nazarene came to the Philippines. The feast of the Black Nazarene is considered one of the most spectacular religious events that take place in the Philippine history.

Every year thousands of devotees from all walks of life come to the district of Quiapo to take part in the procession as a way of strengthening their faith or fulfilling their "panata" (vow) to Lord Jesus Christ.

The Black Nazarene is the patron saint of Quiapo, a small district but well-known part of Manila, a hub of trade and commerce because of the Quiapo market and where most of the transport merge around the Metropolis from adjacent cities and provinces, and also the many stores located there.

The life size image of the Black Nazarene shows a "black" Jesus Christ carrying a cross. The statue has been housed at the Saint John de Baptist Church in Quiapo, Manila also known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene since 1787. The image of the Black Nazarene is brought out in procession on its feast day and Good Friday.

The statue was carved by an Aztec carpenter from Mexico and was brought to Manila by a Spanish priest (an Augustinian Recollect) in 1607 aboard a ship. The ship caught fire along the way, burning the image and thus came to be known as the Black Nazarene. Though the image was burnt, the people decided to preserve and honor it. Since then, miraculous things have been reported to those who touch the image.

The celebration starts as the huge door of the Quiapo Church opens and the image of the Black Nazarene is within sight. The ocean of devotees start to yell "Viva Senor" while some wave white towel high in the air along with the scripture of the Black Nazarene.

The statue is placed in a gilded carriage for the procession. As the procession starts, procession participants garbed in maroon tops grab two long ropes and pull it to make the carriage move. Many will attempt to touch the image while some throw their handkerchiefs and towels in the air. People who join in the procession walk barefooted as a sign of humility.

The devotion to the Black Nazarene is a long time practice of the Filipino Catholics and they believe that through their faith with Jesus Christ, there will be peace and harmony among families, long life and good health among people, deliverance from all calamities and disasters, and prosperity, joy and love among nations.

This year also marked the 19th year that the replica of the life-sized Black Nazarene was brought here to Houston by a group of followers and devotees.

Receptionists: Shane & Alexandria Galarion

Ushers: Bros. Roger, Fil, Sonny & Oscar

Hermana Mayor 2011 - Odette Seria leading the Holy Rosary

and devotion prayer

Devotion readers: Sis. Pina and Tess

The next generation! ...........

Primary sponsors

Thank you for your music!!!

Bro. Danny and Odette leading the devotion prayer.

Serving the faith as Mass readers!

(Jasmin and Janette Sanchez)

Bros. Gene, Fil and Deacon Danny Naranjo

The young Black Nazarenians!

Jesus falls for the 2nd time!

The Simon of Cyrenes ....... Black Nazarene old guards!

CFC youth marching band! Thank you!

Longest procession so far .....

And so the procession ends .....

Gathering of the balloons .....

Up! up and away! Balloons for peace!

Fly away ....... to heaven's they go!

Entrance of the Black Nazarene image

Primary sponsors

Infallible devotees!

Black Nazarene guards

Laying of the image

Flock of devotees!

by the Black Nazarene devotees!

and so it continous to flow ......

Mass offfering

And with your spirit!

The Communion

Senior devotees!

Outgoing Hermano & Hermana Mayor

Incoming Hermano & Hermana Mayor

Happy Birthday Fr. Michael Barrosa!

Fr. Luis Evardoni, DS

Sumptuos food ...... excellent service!

Keep it up!!! Thank you guys for your cooperation!

Service to the devotees ..... nourishing their bodies!

Enjoying the bits and pieces!

Kainan na!!!

Gratifying!

Tapos na kayo?

Isa pa nga?

We're just starting!

Talented young Nazarenians

A Kundiman rendition

(Ms. Gwen Mazalta)

Helena & Hanna Ducay

"Moonlight Sonata"

(Piyenne Estepa)

Schubert "Serenade" and "The Entertainer"

(Paolo Estepa)

Some devotees and their partners
Bro. Ed & Nenette Sulit

Bro. Sonny & Suzette Acebedo

Bro. Cyrus & Sabrina Galarion

Sis. Nilda Alalay

Bro. Fil & Pina Viloria

Mommy Coring Santos

Sis. Evelyn Capalad

Ladies of the Black Nazarene

and their

Black Nazarenian old guards!

Galarion family

(Shane, Sabrina, Cyrus & Alexandria)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. In behalf of the Black Nazarene Prayer Group of Houston, I, my wife Odette, son Deejay and my mother Chedeng would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all for coming here to celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene.

Our special thanks to our celebrant, Fr. Luis Evardoni and concelebrants - Fr. Micahel Barrosa and Deacon Danny Naranjo and also Fr. Eugene Cagoco for the 9th day Novena mass at home. Thank you to our very own altar boys - Bros. Gene Duremdes, Fil Viloria and Ernie Malixi; to our readers, my nieces Janette and Jasmin Sanchez; to the Eucharistic ministers; the CFC youth marching band; to our ushers and usherettes; to the singers during our novena and the Notre Dame Catholic Church choir.

Our endless thanks to ALL the members of the Black Nazarene Prayer Group for all their generous support and encouragement as we hosted the Statue of Jesus the "Black Nazarene" in our home. We couldn't have done it without the cooperation of every member. Sis. Amy Llacar, we thank you for printing our flyers and our mass booklets and most especially for baking the monthly birthday cakes for our celebrants. Kuya Roger Carungcong for organizing the flow of responsibilities of each members and communications. Sis. Gloria Canlas for the musical accompaniment during our monthly prayer devotions and 9 days novena. Tessie Chipongian and Vicki Boado for providing the new outfit for our statue of the Black Nazarene. Sis. Lani and Bro. Felicisimo Obrero for the beautiful flower arrangement they provided every year. Bro. Gene Duremdes and Tess Alquiza who generously helped in printing our mass booklets. My Brother-in-law, Leo Estepa, for the beautiful pictures, slides and blogs uploaded in the internet for our group. Special thanks to my brother and sister-in-laws and their children - Kuya Jun & Ate Remy, Kuya Ben & Ate Nimfa, Leo & Mely, who supported us from the start until to our celebration. We thank all the donors, supporters and friends who helped us make this Fiesta celebration a success.

Last but not the least, please help us welcome the incoming sponsors for this year, Hermano and Hermana Mayor 2012 - Dr. Jun and Tess Alquiza.

May the Jesus of Nazarene continue to bless each and everyone of us gathered here today! We invite everybody to join us with our fellowship at the Social Hall after this.

Danny and Odette Seria

Hermano & Hermana Mayor 2011