Nazarene devotees offer prayers for 'Sendong,' landslide victims

Devotees of the Black Nazarene on Monday offered prayers for the victims of tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi) last December and the killer landslide in a gold panning site in Compostela Valley last week.

 

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle asked the devotees at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to remember Filipinos still reeling from the effects of the tragedies in Visayas and Mindanao.

 

"Alalahanin natin ang mga kapatid natin sa Northern Mindanao at ilang bahagi ng Visayas na hanggang ngayon nagsisikap bumangon pagkatapos ng 'Sendong.' Alalahanin din natin ang kapatid natin sa Compostela Valley na naapektuhan ng landslide," he said in his homily at the Mass, aired over Manila Archdiocese-run Radyo Veritas.

 

More than 1,200 people died in the wake of tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi), which devastated Mindanao and Visayas last December.

 

At least 30 people were killed in last week's landslide at a gold panning site in Pantukan town in Compostela Valley.

 

"Pwede bang tumahimik tayo sandali (at) mag-alay ng panalangin sa Poong Hesus Nazareno para sa ating kapatid na nagdurusa," Tagle said.

 

Tagle also called for respect for nature, as he scored man's disregard for it.

 

He also called on devotees not to litter at the venue.

 

"’Yung ating espiritu na nagsisira sa kalikasan ... Kung paano sinisira ang kapwa tao sinisira ang kalikasan," he said.

 

Also in his homily, Tagle appealed to devotees to truly change their worldly ways and not just be good for only one day.

 

He said Christ repeatedly stumbled because the cross he was carrying was too heavy with man's sins.

 

"Nakapagpabigat sa krus at ano ang nakapagpadapa sa kanya? Ang kasalanan, espirtung masama, espiritu ng mundo na tinawag ni San Pablo na espiritu ng laman," he said.

 

Tagle also warned against greed and vengeance, as well as an attitude of stepping over another to get what one wants.

 

He likewise warned against jealousy and alcoholism, as well as "drunkenness" with material things, sex, and drugs.

 

"Huwag ka pupunta rito para humingi ng tawad at bukas balik na naman sa kulasisi. Hindi. Hindi ka makakabangon, lagi kang nakalugmok," he added.

 

"Gagawin ba nating okasyon ang piyesta ni Poong Nazareno para maglasing? Huwag naman," he said.

 

After the Mass, the procession of the Black Nazarene started. From Quirino Avenue, it will snake its way to the streets around Quiapo using the old traditional route before ending at Quiapo Church. –KG, GMA News