Black Nazarene in Sapian until Aug. 24
SAPIAN, Capiz – Thousands of devotees welcomed and visited the original pilgrim image of Black Nazarene of Quiapo during its arrival here Monday.
The motorcade of the Black Nazarene started from Brgy. Baybay and passed through Roxas Boulevard, Roxas Avenue, Bayot Drive, Punta Tabuc and Ivisan until it reached Sapian.
The pilgrim image will stay at the Church of St. Anne until August 24.
During the motorcade, devotees along the way got their clothes, towels and handkership touched by the image believing that by doing it, they will be blessed or healed of their illness.
Mayor Arturo Orosco Sr. said he and his wife Evangeline facilitated the pilgrim image’s visit so that devotees will no longer go to Quiapo to see the Black Nazarene.
Rev. Fr. Gene Caldeo, parish priest, said during the mass that the frequent visit of the Black Nazarene in Sapian could be the reason why the town has the lowest number of dengue fever patients in Capiz, where a state of calamity was declared because of dengue outbreak.
Rev. Fr. Franklin Villanueva, priest of Quiapo, delivered the homily during the mass upon the arrival of the Black Nazarene.
This is the second time the pilgrim image visited Sapian, the first on Aug. 15 to 24, 2008.
Orosco and his wife are active devotees of all kinds of religious statues in various parts of the country for the past 30 years.
The mayor said he is crediting his family’s success to their deep religiosity as shown by their active involvement in religious affairs.*
