Filipino-Australians celebrate Feast of Black Nazarene

Around one thousand Filipino-Australians attended a more solemn and quiet celebration of the Feast of Black Nazarene last 9 January 2015 at St Mary Star of the Sea Church in West Melbourne. This is in stark contrast to the hundreds of thousands of Filipino devotees who joined the 19-hour procession in Manila.

“This church has become a Quiapo,” said Father Anthony Bernal, main celebrant, who was pleasantly surprise to see the turnout of Filipinos who attended the procession and mass in Melbourne.

In his homily, Father Anthony told the Filipinos to continue practising their faith and pass it on to others. “Take good care of your faith and pass it on to others. Start at home and pass it on to your children,” he said, adding that the deep religious faith in the Philippines should be replicated by Filipinos here in Melbourne.

The life-sized, dark-skinned statue of Jesus Christ has been enshrined at the Mary Star of the Sea Church near the confession boxes. The image was donated by a Filipino family in Sydney. Father Litoy Asis, Filipino Chaplain, reminded everyone that the church is open everyday so they can visit the religious icon, whose image is believed by devotees to have miraculous powers.

A procession called Traslacion was held before the mass followed by a fellowship at the nearby hall where parishioners shared food and spent time catching up with friends and family members. For three days, a triduum masses were held at the same church in honour of the Black Nazarene.

Despite the devotees silently praying for their personal intentions, the spirit of volunteerism was evident on the night of the mass and fellowship. Volunteers and community leaders were seen busy assisting parishioners and moving around the area to make the annual event a success.