The following is the personal account of Father Jose Marion Mark Munda III, Ph. D., Head of the Archdiocese of Manila Educational System Cluster III, on how his devotion to the "Black Nazarene" began. 

The image of the Black Nazarene, representing Jesus of Nazareth, is enshrined in Quiapo Church, officially known as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila. Every year on January 9, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gather in Quiapo Church to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

My devotion to the Black Nazarene began when I was assigned as the Director of The Nazarene Catholic School in Quiapo, Manila in 2012.

I  then began celebrating Mass in Quiapo Church every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. for the students and personnel of The Nazarene Catholic School, the academic institution belonging to Quiapo Church.

At that time, my Assistant Director, Father Leo Ignacio,  and I could only preside over the Mass in Quiapo on Sundays as we were still serving as Parish Priests elsewhere in the Archdiocese of Manila.

 

Later on, both of us were assigned to full-time school ministry and so we began celebrating Mass in Quiapo Church on weekdays as well.

Our official assignment as full-time school ministers included the obligation to celebrate Mass in Quiapo Church. 

Initially, I hesitated as I was not used to presiding over large and crowded congregations.

In Punta, Sta. Ana, where I previously was a Parish Priest, I was accustomed to smaller groups where most faces were familiar. In Quiapo, you encounter different people every single moment.

As we transitioned fully into school ministry, Quiapo Church became our home. 

We heard confessions, attended liturgical services, and, most importantly, became part of the fraternity of priests. 

We served with Monsignor Hernando Coronel, former Rector of Quiapo Church and the Manila Cathedral; Father Douglas Badong, currently the Parish Priest of Saint Joseph Parish in Gagalangin, Tondo, and Father Danichi Hui, Parish Priest of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Manila Parish in Binondo, Manila.

We often went out together once a month, and it was a true blessing to participate in the life of the church. 

What began as a formal obligation transformed into a meaningful priestly ministry. I began to truly appreciate the mystery of the devotion to the Black Nazarene.

However, it was the late Fr. Emmanuel "Pong" del Rosario who helped me understand the deeper meaning of this devotion. 

He shared many stories about the Black Nazarene, including his experiences on the streets of Quiapo during his youth. 

His passion was undeniable, and the joy on his face was beyond explanation. His admiration for Jesus helped me find my own joy in serving at Quiapo. 

Fr. Pong usually joined us for a week during the fiesta celebrations. One thing I learned from him was his commitment to "Cabesa" (his personal statue of the Black Nazarene); he began by building the head and continued until the entire body was complete.

He told me that being assigned to Quiapo was a privilege, and part of that privilege was having a Nazareno of one’s own. 

He encouraged me to get one. Inspired by him, I finally acquired my own—though a much smaller version. 

I witnessed the difficulty of maintaining the statue but I also saw the immense joy Fr. Pong found in doing so.

I asked Michael F. Mondejar, a teacher in The Nazarene Catholic School,  to help me build mine. 

Fr. Leo and Fr. Pong nicknamed my Nazareno  "Señor Maestro" because of our work in the school. Jesus is, after all, our true TEACHER. 

I dedicate my many years in school ministry to my statue of Señor Maestro. 

Managing a school is a meaningful service to the Church, yet only a few diocesan priests choose this path. However, as they say, once you enter, it is difficult to leave! How I entered school ministry is a story for another time.

The theme of our Fiesta this year, 2026, is: "Dapat Siyang Tumaas, at Ako Nama’y Bumaba" (He must increase, but I must decrease). 

It was John the Baptist who first proclaimed this. John is considered the greatest prophet because he was the one to announce that Jesus is the LAMB OF GOD. 

Although many considered him great, he insisted he was not worthy even to untie the sandals of Jesus. He did this out of HUMILITY.

John stayed in the desert before preaching to purify himself—a difficult path requiring great sacrifice. He did this out of LOVE. 

John proclaimed the coming of Jesus and baptized people for the forgiveness of sins. He asked for a change of heart to accept the message of the Lamb of God. He preached REPENTANCE.

As we celebrate the Fiesta of Quiapo, Jesus, our Good Teacher, is calling us to LOVE. Si Hesus ang ating Guro ay nanawagan ng pagbabago. (Jesus our Teacher calls for REPENTANCE.) 

Jesús nuestro maestro nos enseña a ser humildes. (Jesus our teacher calls us to be HUMBLE.) NUESTRO PADRE HESUS NAZARENO, maawa ka sa amin!

-Paraluman News

Related story: Catholic devotees join massive 'Black Nazarene' procession in Manila