President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday joined Filipino Catholics in commemorating the Feast of the Black Nazarene, calling on the faithful to let the annual devotion inspire compassion, honesty and service beyond the traditional procession.
In a message, the President said the yearly observance “reflects a distinctly Filipino faith” marked by sacrifice, perseverance and solidarity, as millions of devotees brave crowded streets and long hours to express their personal vows.
“The procession of the Nazareno reminds us that Filipino faith walks barefoot on hot pavement, squeezes through crowded streets, and bears upon its shoulders the daily worries of our countrymen striving for a more certain tomorrow,” Mr. Marcos said.
The President said the image of Christ struggling under the weight of the cross resonates with Filipinos who endure hardship yet continue to move forward together.
He noted that listening to the prayers and aspirations of devotees highlights the gap between the burdens people carry and the support they receive, underscoring the need for wiser governance and more responsive public services.
As the faithful mark this year’s feast, President Marcos urged them not only to seek physical contact with the image of the Nazareno but to allow their devotion to shape their daily actions and choices.
“If we can go through great lengths for a moment of contact with the image, we can also persevere in the daily work of choosing honesty over falsehood, service over self-interest, and compassion over indifference,” he said.
In closing, the President wished devotees a safe, solemn and meaningful observance of the feast, one of the largest religious gatherings in the country each year.
