MELBOURNE – More than 400 members of the Filipino-Australian Catholic community gathered at St Mary Star of the Sea on 9 January 2026 to mark the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene, a devotion that continues to hold deep meaning for many Filipinos in Australia and overseas.
For devotees, the Black Nazarene represents perseverance, faith amid suffering, and hope carried through daily life. These themes were evident throughout the Melbourne observance, expressed through prayer, hymn-singing, and moments of quiet reflection.
The feast was organised by Fr. Joselito ‘Litoy’ Asis of the Filipino Chaplaincy of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and followed a three-day Triduum Novena that prepared devotees spiritually for the occasion. While modest in scale compared to the annual Traslacion in Manila, the Melbourne celebration reflected a long-standing tradition observed by Filipino Catholics worldwide, expressed in a local setting.
The observance took place on a day of extreme summer heat, with temperatures reaching 42°C earlier in the afternoon. By the time the evening procession began, conditions had eased to around 30°C, allowing devotees to take part more comfortably as prayers and hymns continued around the church grounds.
During the celebration, devotees accompanied a life-size replica of Jesus the Black Nazarene carried on a float. The carriage was guided by devotees pulling ropes on both sides, a traditional practice symbolising collective prayer. Hymns such as “Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno” were sung as participants walked together.
A Solemn Mass was held inside the church, with music provided by the Filipino Harmonico choir. Before the conclusion of the Mass, Fr. Litoy shared a brief historical detail about the image’s attire, telling the congregation.
“This very vestment that our Nazareno is wearing is from Quiapo… the same vestment that the original image of Quiapo once wore,” he said.
The replica of the Black Nazarene was transferred from Ta’ Pinu in Bacchus Marsh to St Mary Star of the Sea in July 2014. The first annual feast in West Melbourne was held the following January, in 2015.
As the celebration drew to a close, Fr. Litoy reminded the faithful of the ongoing presence of the devotion beyond the feast day.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, Nazarene, is always waiting in this beautiful church… and this church is always open,” he said before the final blessing.
Fr. Litoy also expressed his gratitude to those who helped sustain the annual celebration. He offered specific thanks to Gigi Kalong for her involvement with the Pastors’ House in Melbourne and for her continued support of the devotees. He acknowledged the organisers and volunteers as a whole for their work on the annual celebration.
Special recognition was given to the Filipino Harmonico choir, whom Fr. Litoy thanked for leading the congregation in song each month. He also acknowledged the altar servers and lectors, families who provided refreshments, and sponsors who assisted with floral arrangements and the procession setup.
After the Mass, devotees gathered outside the church to share food and conversation, bringing the evening observance to a close.
The devotion to the Black Nazarene traces its roots to the 17th century, with the original image housed at Quiapo Church in Manila. Each year, millions take part in the Traslacion procession in the Philippines, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. In 2026, the Quiapo procession lasted a record-breaking 30 hours and 50 minutes.
Beyond Melbourne, a similar observance was also held in New South Wales. Devotees marked the National Feast of Jesus Nazareno on 11 January 2026 with a procession and Mass, using a replica of the Black Nazarene similar to the one carried in Melbourne. The NSW gathering reflected the same spirit of devotion and mission expressed by Filipino Catholics across the country.
While far removed from the scale of events in Manila, these Australian observances continue to provide space for prayer, reflection, and the continuation of a faith tradition shaped by history and personal experience.
