DOI
10.32436/2475-6423.1127
Abstract
Filipino Catholicism’s hallmark is its festive and colorful celebrations of popular piety, which exhibit the Catholic faith’s embeddedness in people’s lives and culture. One of the most renowned Filipino devotions is rendered to Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo, Manila. The devotion of making a pledge to the Nazareno, known as panata, is commonly understood as a sacred promise that must be kept in return for a request that is granted. In this paper, I propose a theological reading of panata performance that unites devotion to the Nazareno and commitment to the wellbeing of others. This interpretation aims to orient panata as a form of lived Filipino Catholicism that converges popular spirituality and socio-political responsibility. I flesh out this constructive proposal using three steps. I begin by tracing the historical roots of the Nazareno devotion. Then, I consider narratives of Nazareno devotees about the confluence of their devotion and their socio-political engagement. Finally, based on these narratives, I theologically reframe the panata to the Nazareno as a catalyst for mystical-political praxis. Through this fresh outlook, the panata’s theological significance is reconsidered beyond popular piety towards becoming a vehicle for Christ’s saving work amid the Philippine society.
Recommended Citation
Espiritu, Wilson Ph.D.
(2023)
"Rethinking the Panata to the Nazareno of Quiapo,"
Journal of Global Catholicism:
Vol. 7:
Iss.
2, Article 2. p.8-29.
DOI: 10.32436/2475-6423.1127
Available at:
https://crossworks.holycross.edu/jgc/vol7/iss2/2
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