Tagle asks devotees to make ‘Traslacion 2018’ pro-God, pro-people

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged attendees of the “Traslacion 2018,” or the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, to be Pro-people, Pro-God, Pro-country and Pro-environment. (Photo by Marc Reil Gepaya/Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

MANILA — Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged  attendees of the “Traslacion 2018,” or the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, to be Pro-people, Pro-God, Pro-country and Pro-environment.

“Sana po maging maka-kalikasan ang ating pagdiriwang. Makatao, Makabuhay, Maka-Diyos, at Makabayan. Magkita-kita po tayo sa darating na kapistahan. Maraming salamat po,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

He expressed hope that the participation of the devotees would be for a deeper recognition and holding on to Jesus Christ to do good things to their fellowmen.

“Ang atin pong pakikilahok sa lahat ng activities sa kapistahan, sana po ay umuwi sa mas malalim pa na pagkilala kay Hesus. Mas malapit pa na pagkapit sa kanya bilang daan ng buhay at pangatawanan ang ating pananampalataya na umuuwi sa mabubuting gawa,” Tagle added.

The head of the Archdiocese of Manila also reminded the faithful that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.

“Sa taong ito po, ang tema ng pagdiriwang ay ang Poong Hesus Nazareno, siya ang Daan, ang Katotohanan, at ang Buhay. Paghandaan po natin ang kaniyang kapistahan. Araw-araw po tumingin tayo kay Hesus. Siya po ang daan patungo sa Ama. Siya po ang Katotohanan na hinahanap-hanap natin. Siya po ang magbibigay ng buhay at muling-pagkabuhay sa atin at sa ating lipunan,” the cardinal said.

At the same time, Tagle asked the people to pray for the Traslacion 2018 to be safe and peaceful.

“Ipanalangin po natin ang kapistahan ay maging malayo sa panganib. Atin pong ipanalangin ang katiwasayan ng lahat ng makikiisa at gayundin po sana maging malinis,” he added.

The annual grand procession will be held on Tuesday that will start from Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quiapo Church located along Quezon Boulevard, Manila.

Tagle will be the Homilist of the Eucharistic Celebration to be held 12 midnight of January 9 while Msgr. Hernando Coronel, Rector of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene will be the main celebrant.