The VENERATION of the BLACK NAZARENE is very popular among Filipinos because of their religious piety and devotion to the sufferings of JESUS CHRIST. Although the patron saint of the Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene is originally St JOHN the Baptist, the consecration of the Black Nazarene has gained more popular because JESUS CHRIST is the center of piety and devotion, The FEAST of the Most Holy Black Nazarene is celebrated every 9th of JANUARY while novena masses begin on the first Friday day of the year, in honor of its weekly novena mass held every Friday. The Black Nazarene is a life-sized, dark-colored , wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ held to be miraculous by many people, especially its Filipino devotees. Its original carver is an anonymous Mexican carpenter, and the image was transported by galleon from Mexico. The image is currently enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, PhilippineS. Roman Catholic tradition holds that the Black Nazarene came from a boat that caught fire, turning it from its original white into black or charred complexion. The Black Nazarene is carried into the streets for procession in a "Caroza" or carriage.The image was brought to the Philippines by the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries. The Black Nazarene is also famously noted for its devotees who walk the procession streets barefoot, without shoes or sandals as to imitate Jesus Christ on his way to Mount Calvary.

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