Blog
170:
Feast
Day!
For
Filipino Catholics
It
is a day to gather in Quiapo, Manila
Home
of the Black Nazarene Church
Thousands
of devotees from far and near
Flock
to pay homage to him -
They
start early dawn to find their way
Closest
to the Church … closest to the saint’s replica
Pushing
… praying … hoping … to get a glimpse … a sight
So
one could touch his feet or kiss his cheeks-eyes-lips
Others
settle on wiping the graven image’s face
With
a white handkerchief or towel
In
belief that so doing … a blessing would be handed
Perhaps
received … in innocent faith?
All
who succeed would keep the cloth
Deep
in one’s chest pocket
Or
home closet … whichever is dedicated
To
its worship place … holiest of personal places
Year
in and out …
The
Black Nazarene gets paraded in the
village
Behind
it, followers and celebrants squeeze
Until
some of them faint … get stepped on …
Fanatics’
lives are accidentally sacrificed
Over
a wooden likeness of one long dead soul
I
wonder why that is just so …
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