UNLIKE the chaotic spectacle of faith exhibited by devotees during the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church in Manila, the scene at the San Pedro Cathedral Thursday, January 9, was a mellowed version.
Devotees in the city calmly reached out to wipe their maroon handkerchiefs at the replica of the Black Nazarene as soon as it arrived at the cathedral from the afternoon procession.
Despite differences in showing their faith, these patrons chorused the same impassioned prayer of supplication, thanksgiving, and miracle.
Marlin Belenson attended the Mass on behalf of her daughter who has been working for four years in Saudi Arabia. Her daughter's overseas job, she said, was an answered prayer from the Black Nazarene.
"Dugay na siya gusto mugawas sa Saudi lagi unya permi palpak ang iyang mga lakaw ba (She has always wanted to work in Saudi Arabia but she was unsuccessful in the processing)," she shared.
"Na-hopeless na man siya. Nalain na siya nga di gyud makalarga. Gision na gani unta niya iyang passport daw kay di lagi daw siya kalarga (She became desperate and hopeless. She even came to a point where she wanted to tear her passport)," Belenson added.
She said her daughter struggled long to find the money she needed for her preparations.
"Naay mo-offer unya naa na mi requirements, mag alanganin pa gyud. Atong nanghulam ko masakitan ka pa kay naay mga istorya (Even if we present the complete requirement to those who offer financial assistance, they are still hesitant. Some lenders also talk behind our backs)," she said.
Until they decided to visit the cathedral to pray. The cathedral was closed when they came so she reached for the statue of the Black Nazarene through the holes of the railings. After she prayed, she found a thread of the statue's clothes and kept it in her wallet along with prayers.
In less than a year, her daughter was able to fly to Saudi Arabia to work in a convenience store.
"Ako na ang nagpadayon karon kay wala baya didto sa Saudi. Ako na lang pud mu-attend og misa kay wala man akong anak. Maong nagapasalamat pud ko ba. Thanksgiving (I continued the devotion because she cannot do it in Saudi Arabia)," she said.
Meanwhile, Bing Pardillo, a six-year devotee of the Black Nazarene, joined the Traslacion this year, to thank the patron saint in reducing her son's criminal sentence.
She said her son was accused of murder and was originally sentenced to 30 to 40 years imprisonment.
"Nangayo ko sa iya nga unta Lord gamay lang ang ihatag sa iya nga sentensya. Nagasimba ko og Myerkules ug Byernes. Sige kog hilak kang Nazareno (I ask the Lord to reduce my son's sentence. I attend the Wednesday and Friday masses and cried out several times to Nazarene)," she said.
Until recently, the sentence was shortened to eight to 14 years. It was reduced further after her son was granted with Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA). She said her son now only has to stay in jail for two years.
"Akong ginapangayo nga, kung dili karong tuiga, sa 2021, makagawas na siya (I am praying that if not now, he will be released on 2021)," Pardillo said.
Belenson and Pardillo were just among the hundreds of patrons who joined this year's Traslacion at San Pedro Cathedral to show their gratitude to the Black Nazarene and intently pray for healing, peace, protection, and miracle.
The devotees also underscored the importance of asking for forgiveness.