Marcos: Discover strength, hope on Black Nazarene feast

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Catholic devotees to find strength and renewed hope during the festivities of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. 

In a message Monday, Marcos said the feast shows “the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ who willingly offered Himself to make us whole once more.”

“By working through our struggles and difficulties, we discover our inner strength and resolve, emerging from the pits of darkness and despair with a renewed sense of hope and purpose,” Marcos said.

“With our faith guiding our every word and deed, I am certain that we will build a brighter future for our nation and create a world where love, kindness, and harmony reign supreme,” he added.

This year’s Traslacion, or the grand procession of the revered statue of Jesus Christ, is expected to draw millions of Catholic devotees. Around 15,000 police officers are expected to secure the Traslacion on Tuesday. 

Marcos declared January 9 a special non-working day in the City of Manila to mark the observance of the feast. — Gaea Katreena Cabico