MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Quietly standing in the middle of the sea of Black Nazarene devotees was 80-year-old Benjamin Tolentino. He was silently saying his prayer, not for himself, but for his children and grandchildren.聽
鈥淗appiness for them,鈥� Benjamin said when asked what he prayed for.聽
For the octogenarian Benjamin, he may not be able to move as quickly as he used to, but he has no plans to stop physically attending the Feast of the Black Nazarene celebration. Age is just a number, after all.聽
And how can you simply drop a vow?
Benjamin is a Black Nazarene devotee for most of his life. His faith, however, was strengthened further after suffering鈥攁nd eventually recovering鈥攆rom a stroke in 2019.聽
鈥淲hen I was in hospital, I prayed, 鈥楯esus, Jesus, do not abandon me. Give me strength. Do not leave me behind.鈥� If Jesus wasn鈥檛 there for me then, I wouldn鈥檛 be here,鈥� Benjamin recalled.聽
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Due to stroke, Benjamin has had a hard time moving his fingers. And for a person who makes a living cooking and selling noodles and porridge鈥攖he very same job that allowed him to support his family鈥攖his was initially a hard hit.聽
More than three years later, Benjamin can now move his fingers again, albeit slowly.聽
His daughter believes Benjamin鈥檚 recovery was a miracle.聽
鈥淲e really believe that he recovered because of his prayers. We really prayed for his recovery. It was really a miracle,鈥� Benjamin鈥檚 daughter, Marife, shared.聽
The 80-year-old devotee was joined by his children and grandchildren at the Quiapo Church. The feast has become a family affair.聽
Benjamin鈥檚 wife, who passed away more than a decade ago, was also a devotee of the Black Nazarene who used to join him in attending the Holy Mass.聽
In two months, Benjamin will turn 81.聽
For him, he will continue joining the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene for as long as he can, as long as he is alive.聽
鈥淚f I am still alive in 20 years, I鈥檒l still be with Jesus. If I reach the age of 100, I will be thankful,鈥� Benjamin said, with a youthful smile beaming from his face.聽