Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

In a heartfelt display of devotion, hundreds of Filipinos from as far as New York and Michigan traveled to Deland, Florida, to pay homage to Jesus the Black Nazarene. This year marked the largest participation since the inception of the celebration, as devotees found solace in sharing Christ's solidarity with the poor, sick, and suffering.

The statue of Jesus the Black Nazarene was brought to Florida by Ligaya and Romy Cortez, parishioners who were inspired by former pastor Father Tom Connery. Despite their limited means, Ligaya felt compelled to have the statue carved in the Philippines and brought to Florida as a way of expressing gratitude for the blessings they had received. Ligaya, reminiscing about her childhood, shared her deep connection to the Nazarene, stating, "I would go every Friday to pray, to ask for forgiveness, and to ask for help with school, for a good husband, and to have a good family in the future."

Father Mariano Catura, the Mass celebrant, expressed his privilege at being asked to preside over the celebration in Deland. Reflecting on his own memories of the Black Nazarene, Father Catura shared his experience of walking barefoot for almost three hours to make a pilgrimage to "Jesus Nazareno" when he was discerning the priesthood. He offered this sacrifice as a sign of his devotion and gratitude, stating, "I want to grow old with Jesus; I want to live in faith because Jesus is with me; I want to thank the Lord because He’s been so good to me in spite of my difficulties in life."

Father Catura emphasized the transformative power and spirituality of the devotion to Jesus the Nazarene. He explained, "This is about Jesus, who suffered for us because of His great love for us, to save us. He is the same God who gives us hope in times of suffering and can spare us from poverty. He gives us hope that soon our poverty, our suffering will end."

Gloria Alonzo, a devoted follower of the Black Nazarene, shared her personal connection to the devotion. After her husband survived cancer, she made a commitment to actively devote time to Jesus the Black Nazarene. This year, Ligaya asked Alonzo to coordinate nine days of prayer prior to the celebration, which was the first time the novena was prayed each day in the church before the image of the Black Nazarene. Alonzo expressed her joy at the community coming together in prayer, stating, "One of the things I love about Jesus the Black Nazarene is He brings the community together. It's different when you pray together as a community."

Susan Cabusi, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Deltona, also shared her deep devotion to Jesus the Nazarene. She described the hunger for faith and the belief in the healing power of Jesus that she witnessed among the congregation. Cabusi expressed her gratitude for the blessings that the devotion has brought, stating, "My devotion gets stronger as we continue to celebrate every year."

The celebration in Deland served as a testament to the unwavering faith and commitment of Filipinos in America. The devotion to Jesus the Black Nazarene goes beyond cultural ties, as it offers a source of strength, hope, and community for those who participate. The image of the suffering Jesus serves as a powerful reminder of His love and His ability to transform lives. As Father Catura aptly stated, "Focus on transformation — go to the heart."

Overall, the gathering of devotees from far and wide in Deland showcased the enduring power of faith and the deep connection that individuals have with Jesus the Black Nazarene. Through their prayers and devotion, they find solace, healing, and a sense of community.