Events

ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL
1535 3rd Ave. San Diego, CA 92101

Invites You and Your Family to attend the
13th Annual Feast Celebration of JESUS THE BLACK NAZARENE

“Jesus the Black Nazarene”
“Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno”
“Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno”

2024-2025 NOVENA SCHEDULE

DEC 31, 2024 (Tues)
Novena at 4:30 PM
HOLY MASS at 6PM

JANUARY 1, 2025 (Wed)
SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD
Novena at 9:00 AM
HOLY MASS at 10 AM

JANUARY 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 2025 (Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues, Wed)
Novena at 10:30 AM
HOLY MASS at 12:07 PM

JANUARY 4 AND 5 2025 (Sat & Sun)
Novena at 3:00 PM
HOLY MASS at 5:15 PM

JANUARY 9, 2024 (Thursday)
13th ANNUAL FEAST DAY CELEBRATION OF JESUS THE BLACK NAZARENE
5:00 PM Holy Rosary and Prayers to Jesus Black Nazarene
6:00 PM Concelebrated HOLY MASS

EVERYONE IS WELCOME JOIN US!
Every Friday at 10:00 am, we gather at the statue of Jesus the Black Nazarene and pray the Novena, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Holy Rosary and attend Holy Mass at 12:07 PM

DIRECTIONS: FROM SOUTH
Take I-5 North
Take the 6th Avenue exit 16 B
Toward Downtown
Turn slight left onto 6th Avenue
Turn Right onto Beech Street
Turn Right onto 3rd Avenue
1535 3rd Ave is on the Right

DIRECTIONS: FROM NORTH
Take I-5 South
Take the Front St exit 17
Toward Civic Center
Stay straight to go onto Front St
Take the 2nd left onto W. Beech St.
Take the 3rd left onto 3rd Ave
1535 3rd Ave is on the Right

BY BUS & TROLLEY
From South or North, Take Blue Line or Orange Line.
Go down 5th Ave. Broadway Trolley Station, you will see CVS Pharmacy; walk across 5th Ave.
3rd Ave cross the street where California Credit Union and walk straight ahead to 4th Ave then 3rd Ave (church main entrance)

HISTORY
Jesus the Black Nazarene, also known as Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno and Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno or simply Poong Señor Nazarene, is a life-size image of Jesus Christ carrying a large wooden cross in a semi-kneeling position, clothed in a maroon-colored robe, with a crown of thorns and a diadem in the form of three silver rays. On May 31, 1606, the original image of the Black Nazarene was brought to Manila from Acapulco, Mexico by the first group of Augustinian Recollect Friars. The ship caught fire, burning the originally fair-complexioned image. Thus, it came to be known as the Black Nazarene. On January 9, 1787, Basilio Sancho de Santas Justa y Rufina, Archbishop of Manila, ordered the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene to St. John the Baptist Church, which is presently known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines. The image survived the fires of 1731 and 1791, the earthquakes of 1645 and 1863, and the bombing of Manila during World War II. Replicas of Jesus the Black Nazarene can be found in other churches, including here at St. Joseph Cathedral, San Diego, where devotees venerate the image with Friday Novena Mass. It is faith in Christ and the favors granted that intensify the devotion to the Suffering Christ, which was promoted by the Recollect Friars. Pope Innocent X approved the statue for veneration in 1650 as a Sacramental, and Pope Pius VII gave the Statue his Apostolic Blessing in 1805, which granted plenary indulgence to those who piously pray before the statue. The January 9 Feast Day commemorates the transfer (Spanish Traslación) enshrinement in the present Quiapo Church, Philippines, and is attended by millions of devotees.

The devotion history at St. Joseph Cathedral, San Diego, California
In March 1995, the statue without its cross was donated from the East Coast to Bishop Gilbert E. Chávez, who was then the Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego and the pastor at St. Joseph Cathedral. In 2008, this replica of Jesus the Black Nazarene was moved from the little chapel of reconciliation (near the sacristy) to one of the four devotional areas made by pastor, Reverend Peter M. Escalante. December 30, 2011, marked the day when a newly made cross was given to the statue. This paved the way for this devotion to Jesus the Black Nazarene to be formally introduced to the community by Reverend Peter M. Escalante on January 6, 2012, at St. Joseph Cathedral. The first novena was held from January 1 to January 9, 2012. This started the Friday devotion to Jesus the Black Nazarene on January 13, 2012. A New Year Novena with Holy Mass was celebrated from December 31, 2012, to January 9, 2013, culminating in the First Feast Day Mass on January 9, 2013, celebrated by Most Reverend Gilbert E. Chávez, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of San Diego, with concelebrants Rev. Peter M. Escalante, Rev. Gil Gentile, Rev. Richard Gintella, Rev. Marcelino Bambie, Rev. Bernard Ramon, Rev. Said Baba, and Deacon Noel Rivera. Approximately 600-700 people attended the Holy Mass, followed by a candlelight procession.

Historical Timeline (Local)

• • A replica statue of Jesus the Black Nazarene is donated from the East Coast to Bishop Gilbert E. Chávez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego.

• • The statue is moved from a small chapel of reconciliation to one of the four devotional areas in the cathedral.

• • A new cross is attached to the statue, enhancing its significance.

• • Reverend Peter M. Escalante formally introduces the devotion to Jesus the Black Nazarene to the community.

• • The first novena is held, signifying the beginning of organized devotional activities.

• • Regular Friday devotions to Jesus the Black Nazarene commence.

• • A New Year Novena with Holy Mass is celebrated, leading up to the first Feast Day.

• • The First Feast Day Mass is celebrated by Most Reverend Gilbert E. Chávez, D.D., marking the formal establishment of the feast day at St. Joseph Cathedral.
  • Concelebrants included Rev. Peter M. Escalante, Rev. Gil Gentile, Rev. Richard Gintella, Rev. Marcelino Bambie, Rev. Bernard Ramon, Rev. Said Baba, and Deacon Noel Rivera
  • The Mass sees about 600-700 attendees, concluding with a candlelight procession.