In Misa Mayor for Nazareno 2026, Balanga bishop urges devotees to lift up Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s flood control corruption scandal and an appeal for a better Philippines were highlighted in the traditional Misa Mayor for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, held at midnight on Friday, January 9, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Bishop Rufino “Jun” Sescon Jr. of the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan celebrated the Mass in lieu of Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, who had traveled to Rome for the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals convened by Pope Leo XIV. Sescon was once rector of the Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.

The theme of this year’s feast is “Dapat Siyang tumaas, at ako nama’y bumaba” (He must become greater, and I must become less), from John 3:30 on humility.

“Mga kapatid, matuto tayo kay Jesus Nazareno na bumaba nang kusa alang-alang sa pag-ibig. Sa ating bayan ngayon, may mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali na at bistado na, ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan, ayaw bumaba kahit nagdurusa na ang mga mahihirap, ayaw bumaba kahit binabaha na at nasisira na ang bayan, ayaw bumaba kahit hindi karapat-dapat,” Sescon said in his homily.

(Brothers and sisters, let us learn from Jesus Nazareno who willingly descended from heaven because of love. In our nation now, there are people who refuse to humble themselves even though they are in the wrong and have been exposed, even though they are a burden to the country, even as the poor are already suffering, even as the country is being flooded and destroyed, even if they are not worthy.)

The Balanga bishop urged devotees to follow the example of Christ.

“Mga kapatid, kung bumaba si Jesus Nazareno para iangat tayo, tinatawag din Niya tayong makibahagi para iangat ang ating bayan, iangat ang ating kapwa, iangat ang dangal ng bawat isa,” he said.

(Brothers and sisters, if Jesus Nazareno came down to lift us up, He also calls us to lift up our nation, lift up our neighbor, lift up each other’s dignity.)

The Misa Mayor preceded the Traslacion, the annual procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno through the streets of Manila. Millions of devotees are expected to attend the Traslacion, which began at around 4 am on Friday. – Rappler.com