(FILE) In this photo taken during the 2019 Traslacion, a massive crowd of Filipino Roman Catholic devotees follows the carriage of the Black Nazarene during a raucous procession to celebrate its feast day, January 9, in Manila, Philippines. Tens of thousands of mostly barefoot Filipino Catholics would join the annual procession of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene that usually ends before dawn the next day. (AP File Photo/Bullit Marquez)
MANILA, Philippines鈥� Devotion to the Black Nazarene can be shown by way of life and by doing charity, Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista said.
鈥淣o matter how strong our devotion to God is if we don鈥檛 have a genuine concern for others, our devotion is not real. We must remember this,鈥� Evangelista said Thursday in his homily at Quiapo Church.
鈥淎 true devotion to the Black Nazarene and even to other saints should be seen in the way we live, in caring, and helping especially those in need,鈥� he added.
The bishop also noted that devotion is not measured by 鈥渕aterial possessions鈥� or 鈥渉ow often one goes to church.鈥�
鈥淐harity is where God is. We see God in all our expressions of love鈥ove of God and love of neighbor are inseparable. It should always be together,鈥� Evangelista said.
Evangelista鈥檚 reminder to Catholics comes before the celebration of the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on Saturday, Jan. 9.
This year, the Traslacion or the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene image from the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park to the Quiapo Church was canceled in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will also be no 鈥减补丑补濒颈办鈥� or kissing of the image of the Black Nazarene鈥檚 image to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
However, authorities have allowed 400 churchgoers and devotees to enter Quiapo Church for the 15 Masses to be held.
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