Originally published at Orange County Catholic

ON JAN. 9, SANTIAGO de Compostela Catholic Church in Lake Forest hosted the first-ever celebration of the feast day of the Black Nazarene in the Diocese of Orange. The Black Nazarene is known to its devotees as Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, or simply Poon Jesus Nazareno.

The event began with a candlelight procession with some 500 devotees praying the Rosary while walking behind the life-size image of the Poon Jesus Nazareno. The familiar hymn of “Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno” was playing in the background. The life-size image carried on the shoulders of volunteer Hijos de Nazareno then made its entrance to the church where the people welcomed the Poon by waving maroon-colored handkerchiefs, a devotional item used in the veneration of the sacred image.

The Mass was presided by Fr. Thomas Naval, pastor, along with Fr. Douglas Zavala, parochial vicar, Fr. Mark Cruz and Fr. Romeo Ascan of Alagad ni Maria as concelebrants. The church was fully packed with lively and animated attendees of various ethnicities. Every time Fr. Thomas prompted the congregation with “Viva Padre Jesus Nazareno,” the crowd enthusiastically responded with “Viva!”

After the Mass, people lined up for the veneration of the Poon – their chance to

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