A Catholic priest said devotion to Jesus Nazareno should translate into stronger social awareness and responsibility among Filipino faithful.
Quiapo Church rector Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan made the statement during a press conference Wednesday following an interagency coordination meeting for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno and the Traslacion on Jan. 9.
Licuanan said religious devotion must extend beyond church rituals and influence how believers live and act each day.
“I can imagine millions of devotees of Jesus Nazareno will start to have a social conscience and social responsibility, becoming good Filipinos,” he said. “The Philippines is the best place that anyone can ever live for.”
He stressed that faith should not be confined to religious events but should guide daily decisions, civic duties and relationships with others.
“Our faith should be seen in our everyday lives as Filipinos,” Licuanan said. “Hopefully this event would usher God into the people. And that’s the most important.”
The priest warned against separating spiritual devotion from ordinary life, saying such a division weakens the true meaning of faith.
“There seems to be a dichotomy between what is spiritual and what is material,” he said. “That should no longer exist.”
Licuanan added that the intense devotion shown during the annual feast should be reflected in conduct beyond church activities.
“The devotion of our people is very deep,” Licuanan said. “I hope that depth goes beyond the four walls of the church and is seen in the daily actions of Filipinos.”
