Procession of the Black Nazarene Procession of the Black Nazarene The Feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the biggest religious events in the Philippines. It takes place every 9th of January through the streets of Quiapo, Manila. This tradition, which dates from the 17th century, gathers up to 12 million devotees each year. The Black Nazarene (Spanish: Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno; Tagalog: Mahal na Itim na Nazareno) is a life-sized, dark wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying the cross. The statue was made by an anonymous sculptor from Mexico and was brought to the Philippines in 1606. The Black Nazarene is borne in procession on its carriage called the Ándas. Traditionally, only men were permitted to be namámasán ("bearers", i.e. devotees pulling the Ándas by its two large ropes); but in recent years, female devotees have been allowed to participate. In the procession, men walk barefoot as a sign of humility. Millions of devotees try to touch the statue because they believe that a miracle can happen after doing so. Procession of the Black Nazarene Vocabulary Study: devotee a strong believer in a particular religion or god life-sized a life-sized work of art or model is the same size as the person or thing that it represents sculpture a piece of art that is made by carving or molding clay, stone, metal, etc. sculptor an artist who makes sculptures anonymous made or done by someone whose name is not known or not made public borne carried or moved by a particular thing procession an organized group or line of people or vehicles that move together slowly as part of a ceremony carriage a wheeled structure that is used to carry and move something heavy barefoot without shoes Write your own sentences for each of the following: Devotee: Sculptor: Anonymous: Procession: Barefoot: Comprehension Questions: 1. When and where does the Feast of the Black Nazarene take place? 2. Describe the statue of the Black Nazarene. 3. Why do men walk barefoot in the procession? Procession of the Black Nazarene Complete the following sentences: 1. This tradition, which dates from the 17th century, __________________ ______________________. 2. The statue was made by an anonymous sculptor from Mexico _________ _______________________. 3. Millions of devotees try to touch the statue because _________________ _______________________. Comment on the following Quotes: 1. “God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.” -Unknown 2. “I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind.” -H. L. Mencken 3. “When people expect God to plan their lives for them, and protect them, they tend to lose their motivation to guide and control their own lives.” -Charles W. Faulkner Discussion Questions: 1. Talk about the biggest festival in your city. 2. Why do you think a lot of people believe in miracles? Discuss. 3. Do you think the government should be guided by religious principles? Why or why not? .