MANILA -- Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged devotees of the Black Nazarene to show their devotion every day.
“When you say devotee, it should not just be for January 9, every Traslacion. Devotion is a daily act, in every part of the globe,” the head of the Archdiocese of Manila said in his homily at the midnight mass for the feast of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand on Wednesday.
“We are not saying that being a devotee is already a perfect relationship with Jesus. In every kind of love, loyalty, and union, it must be daily,” Tagle furthered.
He said that devotees should also share to others how their devotion changed their lives for the better.
Tagle also explained that devotees are different from mere fanatics.
“First, true devotees give unconditional love to Christ; while fanatics only stick to those they benefit from. Secondly, a true devotee manifest loyalty to Christ; while fanatics stop their sacrifices once they stop getting what they want,” he said.
“Lastly, devotees are united with the one they love, be it in suffering, happiness, and sickness,” the Manila Archbishop added.
Millions of people attend the annual procession, where some of them get on top of the sea of barefoot, clad in yellow and maroon devotees to be able to touch the image. (PNA)
