The Nazarene this Sunday of Lent: Atalaya Celebrates its Biggest Religious Festival

The district of Atalaya is experiencing one of the most important moments of its religious calendar this weekend with the celebration of Jesus of Nazareth, whose central date will take place tomorrow and will bring together thousands of faithful from all over the country.  The eighth novena to Jesus of Nazareth has generated the arrival of thousands of parishioners who are preparing for the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent, to venerate the sacred image in honor of Jesus of Nazareth of Atalaya. 

In the vicinity of the church, long lines of worshippers can already be seen, including senior citizens, young people, and children, who advance patiently to give thanks or make their requests.  Devotion to the Nazarene of Atalaya is one of the most significant religious expressions in Panama. This tradition revolves around the veneration of the image of Jesus of Nazareth, located in the district of Atalaya, in the province of Veraguas.  Tomorrow is expected to see one of the largest gatherings of the faithful, with Eucharistic celebrations and special liturgical acts that will mark the culmination of this expression of faith that, year after year, brings together thousands of Panamanians in Atalaya. 

Pilgrims Arrive in Atalaya with Testimonies of Faith and Miracles Granted

Displays of faith, hope, and gratitude abound at the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. In Atalaya, faith is not only proclaimed, it is lived; and in every testimony, believers reaffirm their conviction that the miraculous Christ Jesus of Nazareth continues to work in the lives of those who come to him with hope.  As the date of Lent Sunday approaches, the district of Atalaya begins to transform into a meeting point for thousands of pilgrims, devotees and believers who arrive from different parts of the country to venerate the miraculous Christ Jesus of Nazareth.  Displays of faith, hope, and gratitude abound at the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, where testimonies of miracles granted become the central focus of these spiritual days. 

Amid prayers, promises, and tears of emotion, the faithful share experiences that, they claim, have changed the course of their lives.  Such is the case of Alagía Flores, a believer who recounts having received a miracle after going through a delicate health condition.  According to her account, doctors detected a tumor in her abdomen that significantly worsened her physical condition.  Adding to this situation was the need to undergo dialysis daily, which, according to his family, considerably reduced his chances of survival.  However, amidst the uncertain outlook, Flores maintained her unwavering faith in Jesus of Nazareth.  “It was a very difficult process, but I never lost hope. I begged Him with all my heart to give me another chance,” she said, deeply moved.    

With medical treatment and, according to her, the divine intervention of the Nazarene, her health began to improve remarkably.  Today, grateful to be alive, she went to the Basilica to prostrate herself at the feet of the miraculous Christ and publicly give thanks for what she considers a second chance.  Another testimony is that of José Rivera, a resident of the city of Las Tablas, who makes a pilgrimage to Atalaya every year as a sign of gratitude.  Rivera recalled that one of his sons faced a complicated health condition that kept his family in constant anguish.  “In the midst of despair, I asked Jesus of Nazareth to save my son; since then, his recovery has been amazing,” he recounted. 

Since that episode, Rivera says he has not missed his annual appointment with the Nazarene, traveling to Atalaya to give thanks for the favor granted and renew his faith.  As Lent progresses, the flow of pilgrims increases considerably. Local and church authorities are continuing preparations to receive the thousands of visitors who will participate in Sunday’s religious activities, one of the largest displays of faith in the country.  In Atalaya, faith is not only proclaimed, it is lived; and in every testimony, believers reaffirm their conviction that the miraculous Christ Jesus of Nazareth continues to work in the lives of those who come to him with hope.