Church historian shares some facts about Traslacion

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) — The Traslacion or the annual procession of the 400-year-old image of the Black Nazarene returned after being suspended for three years due to pandemic health restrictions.

READ:Traslacion 2024 begins

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Monday, church historian Fr. Emilio Edgardo Quilatan refuted claims that the color of the Black Nazarene was caused by a fire or candles lit by devotees.

Quilatan said the Black Nazarene was made from a Mexican wood called «Mesquite.»

«Mesquite wood, like the Kamagong, darkens when it ages,» he said. «It is not due to the candles of the devotees or because the ship that carries the image was burnt.»

According to Quilantan, among the symbols of the Black Nazarene are the cross (sins of humanity), crown of thorns (Jesus as King), and red clothing (martyrdom and death).

The church historian also shared why Quiapo Church has been the home of the Black Nazarene since 1787.

Quilantan said the Recollect order brought two images of the Nazareno between 1640 and 1650.

After seeing a flock of devotees in Intramuros, then Manila archbishop Basilio Sancho de Santas Justa y Rufina ordered that one image be donated to Quiapo Church.

«That was the start of Traslacion, which means 'transfer,'» he said.

«The image was given by the Recollects to Quiapo and this was done through a procession from San Nicolas Church in Intramuros,» he added.

Quilantan also clarified that the Feast of the Black Nazarene is a liturgical celebration while the Traslacion is a procession and reenactment of the transfer of the image.

Quilantan added that Traslacion reminds people to be courageous because Jesus is with them in suffering.

«We have to be courageous in the face of suffering because we are never alone. Jesus is with us whenever we suffer,» he said.