Prayer to the Black Nazarene

Click here for more info on the Black Nazarene.
Click here for more info on the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

ACT OF CONTRITION
Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, I am heartily sorry for having sinned against You and my neighbor. You are my Lord and my God whom I love above all things. Help me not to sin again, and lead me to a new life of grace. I trust in Your loving forgiveness. 

READING (John 19:16-18)
Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus, carrying the cross himself, went out to a place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotta. There they crucified him, and with him two others one on either side, Jesus in the middle. 

SILENT REFLECTION

LITANY
Response: Have mercy and save me.

Lord Jesus, Your blood washed away my sins and the sins of the world. (R)

Lord Jesus, Your blood formed like sweat and fell to the ground at Gethsemane. (R)

Lord Jesus, Your blood flowed out while you were scourged at the pillar. (R)

Lord Jesus, Your blood covered Your face at the crowning of thorns. (R)

Lord Jesus, Your blood was shed at Your crucifixion. (R)

Lord Jesus, Your blood is a river of mercy and forgiveness. (R)

(Here mention your petitions)

Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory be... .

May almighty God bless us all, the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Click here to read about my experience at the Fiesta of the Black Nazarene.)

Wisdom - A prayer.

A prayer based on the Book of Wisdom9: 1-6, 9-11 (Morning Prayer: Week 3, Saturday)

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us this opportunity to gather here to pray. We thank You Lord for creating all things and made each one of us in Your image and likeness, and in Your infinite wisdom, chose to make all people as a part of Your eternal plan.

Father, we acknowledge that without You, we are as nothing. We earnestly beg You Father, to give us the wisdom we need, the same wisdom that You have revealed in Your Son Jesus Christ, that we too may be like Him in word and deed. Send Your wisdom from Your holy heavens Lord, so that wisdom may work by our side and that we may learn what pleases You and wisdom would guide us intelligently in all that we do and say.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. AMEN.

Mother Mary, the Seat of Wisdom…….Pray for us. Amen.

I saw the Holy Scripture come to life during the Fiesta of the Black Nazarene.

Each time during January, I used to read the reports on the tremendous procession of the Black Nazarene. At times there would also be tv news reports on the event and never did I imagined that in my life time I would be witnessing the event or even participate in it. Since coming to the Philippines in May 2012, I have made it a point to go and pray at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene and now I can be considered a devotee to the Black Nazarene too. (Here they say; “Hijos del Senor Nazareno” – ‘Sons of the Lord Nazarene’.  Very often (at most times monthly), I would make my own pilgrimage to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quipo, Manila, bringing with me all the prayer intentions of the people I know, who have asked me to pray for them. In 1880 Pope Pius VII gave the statue his Apostolic Blessing which granted plenary indulgence to those who piously pray before it.   

On January 08-09, 2014, I had the opportunity to be participating in the event. The best part of this is that, I would be very close to the altar where the Mass would take place and where the statue of the Black Nazarene would be. As a seminarian I was given the privilege to serve as an extraordinary minister of communion. It was a meaningful task for me, and I would elaborate further on this later. The mass was held at the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, at the very same place 19 years before, I had participated in the great gathering of 5 million youths with Pope John Paul II, i.e. The 1995 World Youth Day.

As I mentioned earlier, I was given the task to serve as an extra-ordinary minister of communion for the mass in the evening of January 08. I was directed to distribute the communion at a far corner where devotees were gathered for the Mass. At that place, I could also smell strong stench of urine. Not that the toilets were nearby, but it was due to the huge crowd and long wait that some people might have relieved themselves there.  If you had been to slums or to any areas or even on people who do not care for hygiene or not able to clean themselves, this stench would be very familiar!!

While standing with the ciborium waiting to distribute Holy Communion, I reflected that the Lord who is now present in the Holy Eucharist that I was holding came down as a human to be among them. It was indeed an ‘Emmanuel’ experience; God ‘pitching his tent among His people’ (Is. 7:14 / Mt. 1:23). My heart was then soften, that instead of feeling uncomfortable due to the strong smell, I was now joyfully ‘distributing the Lord through the Holy Eucharist to His people’.  For as we see in the Gospels, Jesus came to the world to serve all people especially the poor, the broken hearted, those ostracize and the sick (Lk.4:18-19).  So with a loud proclamation, I profess to the people ‘The Body of Christ’ (Lk. 22:19) as I distribute the Holy Communion and the people with conviction that ‘It is the Lord’ (Jn 21:7) who came as man and died to save them all and He is now present in the Holy Eucharist; replies ‘Amen’.      

I stayed over at the Quirino Grandstand after the evening Mass. Even though there was place for us seminarians who stayed over to rest or lay the head a little while, I just could not. Seeing the ‘church’ (the lay faithful) awake and in vigil with the Lord, how can I rest! I then watched some performance by the youths, listened to the parish priest and a Jesuit priest who has a great devotion to the Black Nazarene share their experiences and stories of miracles attributed to the Black Nazarene. When my companions were tired and wanted to rest a while, I then decided to go on my own to the back of the stage to look at the flow of the crowd going to touch the statue with utmost reverence. I was moved, just by looking at those devotees expressing themselves. I shared in their feelings. When I saw tears, I too shed my tears. When I saw faces of joy and accomplishment for having being able to persevere and braving the long queue and now finally being able to venerate the statue, I too was happy and shared in their joy. I just could not leave the place where I was standing watching all this, for it was a sight to behold. It was a sacred moment for me especially in that sacred place. The Holy Scripture came alive. All of them wanting to touch the cloak of the statue and this reminded me of the incident in the bible where a woman touched the cloak of Jesus and she was healed because of her faith in Him (Mk.5: 25-34). I also saw mothers and fathers, interceding for their children and this reminded me of the incident in Mk 7:24-30. I saw two men carrying a lame man up the many steps so that he may be able to venerate the Black Nazarene, something very similar we see in Lk 5: 17-26.  Watching all this, I could not hold myself but to cry with them and join them in their prayers. I then moved away to another angle to behold the face of Jesus the Black Nazarene. I cried even more and asked the Lord to bless us all including my family and friends who have asked me to pray for them and also to give thanksgiving to the Lord for the healing and successful operation of my aunt who months earlier was diagnosed with cancer. I had offered her up to Black Nazarene during my monthly pilgrimage to the Minor Basilica at Quipo and the Lord had answered that prayers together with the many prayers that I was asked to pray for. I had recently bought her a statue of the Black Nazarene as a Christmas gift. Now looking at the face of Jesus carrying the cross, I could see LOVE. Jesus has so much love for each and every one of us that he willingly took up the cross, suffered and died for us (Jn.10:18). He is ‘the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’ (Jn.1:29). I also prayed that I may persevere and be faithful in this journey towards the priesthood and one day soon be a priest after the heart of Jesus who is filled with love for all people.   

   

 I know many people including priests and seminarians were not happy that the mass were interrupted and had to be concluded in the sacristy due to the massive crowd breaking through the barricade so as to be nearer to the statue’s carriage known as ‘andas’ or ‘carosa’ so that during the procession they can be near to the statue of the Black Nazarene. I too wished that it could be avoided but what I saw there was as mentioned in John 6:14-15; ‘When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king…’  Yes, clearly there should be more catechesis for the people and it is the responsibility of the very ones (priest and seminarians included) who had shook the head when the ‘mob took charge’!   Since now this situation seems to be an yearly occurrence and the crowds are increasing every year, so I would like to offer a suggestion that instead of having the procession (traslación) immediately after the mass, there could just be a ‘para-liturgy’ or a service to begin the procession instead. The mass can be in the evening the day before or hours before the procession, anyway there are masses taking place hourly at the basilica at the same time, so I feel a liturgical service to begin the procession should be sufficient and can be meaningful and then can conclude with a thanksgiving high-mass when the statue arrives at the Minor Basilica.

I praise and thank God for giving me this opportunity to experience this largest procession in the Philippines and I believe in the world; the annual commemoration of the ‘Traslacion’ of the image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (aka Black Nazarene). For more information on the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene click here.

The hymn Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno was composed by Lucio San Pedro to honour the Black Nazarene. It is used by the Minor Basilica as the official anthem of the devotion and its associated rites.

Literal English translation of the hymn

Our Father Jesus Nazarene

We worship Thee

We admire Thee

Thy teachings are our life

and salvation.

Our Father Jesus Nazarene,

Save us from sin.

The Cross Thou hadst died upon is

Emblem of our salvation.

CHORUS:

Our Father Jesus Nazarene,

We honour Thee!

Our Father Jesus Nazarene,

We glorify Thee! ||

2013 Retreat: “Behold, I make all things new." - Rev. 21:5.

I had my annual retreat this year which was a directed retreat by a Religious Sister (Sr. Zeny) from the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) at Betania Retreat House Baguio, Philippines. During my retreat the constant theme or message I receive was  “Behold, I make all things new." This phrase can be found in the Bible, from the Book of Revelation 21: 5.
Here are some of my reflections during my retreat that I would like to share:-


- Yes, there are times that I am pressured with my own actions and at the same time I'm guilty of my sinfulness.
- I want to change, to be better and a worthy minister of the Lord.
- Motivation: to serve as a Catholic priest.
-Gen 1: 27-31 - The past 1 month, I've been looking very close
ly to God's creations. The beauty, animals & plants. Reflecting on the scripture text and looking at the nature, i was just enjoying in God's love & peace. At that time there was this sense of joy, being loved and feeling of uniqueness.A sense of 'NEW'. (A repetition, reoccurring  theme - 'I will make all things new'.
- Question: Where is God inviting me to?
Response based on giftedness, personal capacity. For every situation that happens, there is an invitation.

- Feeling privileged to have this moment of prayer and reflection.
- As I sat at the garden looking around on what to ponder, I saw a bunch of flowers just swaying and moving along with the wind and I thought I'd just focus on it. At that time something fell n the floor near where I was sitting. It was a caterpillar. It just stood still at first and I thought it was dead due to the fall. But then it started to move slowly and went towards a direction of a pole. I thought it would just go towards some greens to eat some leaves! It then climbed upon the pole. Then I realized it actually fell from the top of the pole. Along it's way some ants came and disturbed it, but it just climb. I went near it then to have a closer look. It was ugly, black with a brown shade in the middle and it was furry. It was just climbing and climbing while coming in contact with ants that was disturbing it until it reached a beam and went on it. I then could not see it anymore.
Reflection
I noticed that I was getting excited as I saw the caterpillar going higher and higher up on the pole. I did not want it to fall again. Each time it met an ant, I would tell it to fight the ant. It kept on climbing as it faced challenges. I was happy when it reached the beam.
I felt, I was the caterpillar. The falling down reminded me of my own falling down during the vocation crisis in 2008. When the caterpillar was just still after it fell, it was like me not knowing what to do during my crisis. The caterpillar climbing and moving up again is for me starting all over again my priestly studies. As the caterpillar faced the ants, it was for me to press-on even when I face struggles.
A caterpillar would eventually turns into a beautiful butterfly ('make all things new'), so for me is my call to priesthood, and all the more becoming a better person.  
Me cheering and supporting the caterpillar was basically what God would do for me.

- God who is love should be affective (feelings).
- When we embrace God in the dark, we can find God in it. Difficulty we face is a way God cleansing, making anew.
- Goodness starts now! 

Let us build a community in which people of different religions learn from one another and work together for the common good.

I am indeed very sad with the recent happenings in Malaysia especially on the double standard and bias treatment given to the various minority communities of this beloved country. Lately we have been reading a lot of news, and police reports are made regarding insensitivity to another religious practices and beliefs. Many are claiming to be 'insulted' or 'offended'. Our country was never like this. We used to be a model for a multi-cultural, multi-religious country where people live in harmony, happily caring for each other. What has happened to us now? What has happened to our country?

We have all become arrogant. We have all become 'faithless'. A perverse generation I must say!. At times it seems we have become bigger than God the Almighty! I am sure the Prophets, Saints and Sages are all feeling embarrassed for what we have become. Even God is sad I'm sure to see us all fighting in this way in His name, for this is not the purpose that He created us in this world of different peoples with different backgrounds and culture. We all need to be more 'human' and loving one another, and we are only able to do this sincerely is when we know and have a better understanding about the other's religion and beliefs. We need to be 'in(formed)' and educated. Inter-Religious Dialogue seems to be the best solution. Or maybe we can attend some classes on religion or better still ask a religious teacher.   

It was heart breaking to read a news report today that the latest 'issue' in Malaysia is about a surau within a resort is believed to have been used for another religious ceremony and people are being offended about this. Click 'here' and 'here' for a read about this issue. At this moment, As a Christian I'm thankful that we have had examples of churches opening their doors for Muslims to pray. For a read click on the links:-
Christian Church opens doors to Muslims. and Church opens its doors to Muslims in Ramadan.
I'm sure many other religion and even Muslims have been generous to open the doors of places of worship and even their homes for another religious person to pray and worship one's God.
 
In my interest about Islam, I remember reading about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) granting protection and other privileges to the monks of Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai.

The Prophet personally granted by the charter the rights and privileges to the monastery, including freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property. Here is an English translation of the charter:-

"This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them.

If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)."
Click here for a read on the document and its history.

There is a Lebanese movie that all of us must watch. The title in French is 'Et maintenant, on va où'  & in English it would be  'Where do we go now?'. It is about A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village together with the Imam and a Priest. We can all learn from them. Watch the trailer by clicking here.

As I end, I would like to ask all to pray for peace and mutual love for each other as we build our nation once again as a harmonious multi-cultural and multi-religious country. Here is a song of peace for reflection:-

An Advent Prayer Service for a Spirit-Filled Christmas Celebration.

I have prepared here a service during advent for a gathering of family and friends. This is not my own but I compiled it from 3 sources that I would indicate below.

Hymn 

Greeting

Leader: We begin our prayer…In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Introduction

In these four weeks of Advent each year, we are reminded that we are called to be a people living in joyful hope, waiting for the time when Christ will come again in glory. The Scriptures we hear during these weeks remind us that we are to be ready for Christ whenever he comes, for we know not the day or the hour. We have gathered here together now, to think about our lives and our commitment to living in joyful hope, waiting for Christ. We will spend some time listening to God’s word in Scripture, a word that calls us to renewal, to forgiveness, and to peace.

As we now light our wreath in the middle of this, the darkest time of the year, we, as a church, a family, light candles reminding us that, in the darkest of nights, Christ is our light, a light no darkness can overcome. At the same time, when we focus on the evergreen wreath, let us be reminded that God is ever present to us, even in the midst of death.

In this spirit of hopefulness and trust, we say this pray together:-

All: O God our Father, we are waiting for your Son to come to us. Help us to see him when he comes to us in the words of the Scripture, in the love of our families, and in the daily events of our work, studies and recreation. Amen.

(Someone lights the advent candle while a hymn is sung)

Let us pray together our opening prayer.

All: God of Love,

Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.

He is a sign of your love.

Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,

As we wait and prepare for his coming.

We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.

Amen.

Reading

 Isaiah 40:3–5

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice is shouting:

Clear a path in the desert for the Lord.

Build a straight road there for our God.

Fill in the valleys and flatten the mountains and hills.

Level the rough and rugged ground.

Then the glory of the Lord will appear for all to see.

The Lord has promised this!

The Word of the Lord.

Reflection

Sharing

·    John the Baptist told the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. They heard the Good News and responded. It might be easier for us to respond if John the Baptist were alive preaching today. Of course, he isn’t, but there are people like John who tell us about Jesus. Who are those people in your life? Take a moment now to talk with your family about the answer to that question.

·         What are some ways we respond to God’s invitation to live as Jesus did? Talk with your family about the things that you do to help others and show your love.

 Prayers of Petition

Leader: Sometimes one of the most challenging things for us to do is to learn to find God in our lives every day. Let us pray that Jesus will come more deeply into our lives and that we will be aware of his presence.

Our response is: Come, Lord Jesus!

Reader: Into our lives, we pray . . .

All: Come, Lord Jesus!

Reader: Into our troubled world, we pray . . .

All: Come, Lord Jesus!

Reader: Into our baking, shopping, and gift wrapping, we pray . . .

All: Come, Lord Jesus!

Reader: Into our hearts as we care for those in need, we pray . . .

All: Come, Lord Jesus!

Reader: Into our homes, we pray . . .

All: Come, Lord Jesus!

Leader: Let us pray together the Hail Mary.

Leader: Let us pray offer each other the Sign of Peace.

Dismissal

Leader: May the Lord bless us, keep us from all evil and bring us to eternal life.

(all make the sign of the cross)              

All: Amen

Leader: Let us praise the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

  

Closing Hymn 

Sources:-

1.Intergenerational Event—Advent, Loyola Press.

2. http://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/ht/Adv_Wreath_Bl.htm

3. Oliver Crilly, Penitential Services, Twenty-Third Publications, Connecticut.