The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno – Saint John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church), commonly known as Quiapo Church[b] and canonically as Saint John the Baptist Parish,[c] is a prominent Catholic basilica and national shrine in the district of Quiapo in the city of Manila, Philippines. It is the home of the Black Nazarene, a dark statue of Jesus Christ said to be miraculous. The basilica is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila under the Vicariate of José de Trozo and its current rector is Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr.
History
Early churches
The earliest church, built by missionaries of the Order of Friars Minor, was made of bamboo for the frame and nipa leaves as thatching.[6][7] In 1574, Limahong and his soldiers destroyed and burned the church. Formerly a visita (chapel-of-ease) of Santa Ana, the Franciscan friar Antonio de Nombella founded the church in 1588 which was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. It burned down in 1603 and the parish was temporarily turned over to the Jesuits until secular clergy objected.[6]Governor-GeneralSantiago de Vera initiated the full construction of the church in 1686.[7] On April 8, 1639, the administration of the church was returned to the seculars who had always taking care of the church's welfare.[6]
During the Seven Years' War, the British attempted to destroy the church in 1762 as they invaded Manila. An earthquake in 1863 destroyed the church and in its place a temporary church was built. Eusebio de León later reconstructed the ruined church in 1879,[6] completing the structure in 1889 with the assistance of Manuel Roxas. Roxas had raised the unprecedented amount of ₱40,000.00 from donations and lay contributions. In 1929, the church caught fire again, in which the church's wooden ceiling and sacristy were destroyed.[7]
Monsignor José Abriol commissioned architect José María Zaragoza and engineer Eduardo Santiago to expand the church in order to accommodate more worshippers. This was done from 1984 to 1986, with several changes made to the building such as removing any inner columns.[2] Despite the project being controversial, it did not affect the popularity of the church.[9] Cardinal Jaime Sin, then-Archbishop of Manila, reconsecrated the church on September 28, 1987. On December 11 of the same year, Pope John Paul II issued papal bullQui Loco Petri, elevating the church’s rank to that of a minor basilica.[10] This was solemnly declared on February 1, 1988, by then-Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, who also blessed the side altar of Saint Lorenzo Ruíz on that day.[7]
In 2006, the church celebrated 400 years since the Black Nazarene’s arrival. As part of the celebrations, a jubilee wall was placed at the entrance gate so devotees can post their own testimonials of faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene. The Traslación from Quirino Grandstand back to the basilica was also introduced, re-enacting the image's initial transfer from its destroyed shrine in Intramuros.[11]
Built in the Baroque style, Quiapo Church's façade is distinctive with twisted columns on both levels. The Corinthian columns of the second level has a third of its shaft twisted near the base, while the upper portion has a smooth surface. The topmost portion of the four-storey belfries are rimmed with balustrades and decorated with huge scrolls. The tympanum of the pediment has a pair of chalice-shaped finials, and towards the end of the raking cornice, urn-like vases mark the end of the pediment. A quatrefoil window in the center of the pediment was sealed up in the late 1980s and replaced with a relief of the crossed keys and tiara of the pope – a symbol of its status as a minor basilica.[2]
During its expansion, changes to the building were made, such as the removal of the ornate exposed trusses, the removal of the interior columns to create an expansive columnless structure, and the realignment of the perimeter walls. Even though Zaragoza did not tamper the facade and altar area, this received criticisms like comparing the new interior with a basketball court.[9] Only the façade, the dome, the transept, and the apse retained the classic design.[7]
High altar of the church, with the Black Nazarene enshrined above itDevotees attending Mass inside the church
The Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (a dark figure of Christ carved by a Mexican artist from black wood), reputedly miraculous, was brought to the country in a Spanish galleon in the 17th century.[6]
Quiapo Church holds a novena every Friday, Quiapo Day, in honor of the venerated image, and is attended by thousands of devotees. A note is sounded before the novena begins as the devotees to the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno troop in and emit their strings of petitions.[6] One can encounter the traditional folk Catholicism of Filipinos when they all climb the narrow flight of stairs to kiss the Señor's foot or wipe it with their handkerchiefs they use every time they visit.[6]
Traslación of the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno in 2024
The Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 celebrates the traslación (solemn translation) of the statue to the church from the Church of Saint Nicholas Tolentino. Traffic is re-routed round the devotees who participate in this district's fiesta. There are men who are devoted to carry the Black Nazarene statue around a specific route. They have a panata, a vow to serve the Lord in this sacrifice. These people believed that an afternoon's participation in the procession can repent their sins and shady deals in a year.[6]
In 2024, 6.5 million devotees participated in the Traslación.[17] Due to popular devotion, the Archdiocese of Manila has proposed to the Holy See to declare January 9 as the "national feast of the Black Nazarene".[18]
Controversy
The vicinity of the church is a popular area for peddlers of unsafe abortifacients, local gastric irritants and untested herbal folk (potions) remedies.[6] The merchandise are clandestinely sold from stalls surrounding the Basilica and the Plaza Miranda fronting it. Abortion is illegal in the Philippines, and individuals who cannot afford the surgical procedure resort to these vendors.[19]
The media often covers stories of dead fetuses being abandoned outside of the church's Blessed Sacrament chapel, a practice condemned by the Archdiocese of Manila.[20] Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales has issued several canonical excommunications for women who perform intentional abortion in relation to such practices near the shrine, as ruled by the Catholic Church.[21] The fetuses covered by the Filipino TV media are often left wrapped in sack-cloth or plain boxes.
Gallery
Close-up of the main façade
Main façade at night
Church interior in 2023. Devotees in the central aisle are seen walking on their knees towards the sanctuary, offering prayers.
Lateral walls
Historical plaques inside the church presenting the papal decree declaring the church as a basilica
^For the 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Pilgrim's Masses every Saturday
^Filipino: Simbahan ng Quiapo; Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de Quiapo
^Filipino: Parokya ng San Juan Bautista; Spanish: Parroquia de San Juan el Bautista
^The Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines employs a ten-year policy to make diocesan shrines known at the national level before a national designation can be considered. In the case of Quiapo, the policy was waived because according to its secretary-general, Monsignor Bernardo Pantin, the church is "already well known so it was exempted from the requirement".[13]
^ abcdLico, Gerald (2016). "Building Faith: Architecture and Sacred Spaces of Quiapo Church". Journal of Southeast Asian Architecture. National University of Singapore: 13, 31–50.
^ abcdefghide la Torre, Visitacion (1981). Landmarks of Manila: 1571-1930. Makati: Filipinas Foundation, Inc. pp. 69–71.
^ abcdeAlarcon, Norma (1991). Philippine Architecture During the Pre-Spanish and Spanish Periods. Manila: Santo Tomas University Press. ISBN971-506-040-4.
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