AS the physical activities for the Feast of the Black Nazarene make a comeback this weekend, so will the throng of devotees.
Quiapo Church officials gearing up for the resumption of physical activities for the “Traslacion” in Manila beginning January 7 until 9 expect millions to join.
“Like in previous (pre-pandemic) years, we expect to reach millions in total participants. We expect all Masses in Quiapo Church to be packed,” said Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez.
“At the Quirino Grandstand, we will probably see the usual number of devotees as in the pre-pandemic period. We expect devotees to occupy all areas they can, together with the line for the ‘pagpupugay’,” he added.
Asked if they expect the number of devotees to reach a million, he said: “There is a possibility of reaching 2 million.”
Based on the event’s program, several Masses are set to be held at the Quiapo Church from January 7 to 9.
On the day of the feast (January 9), there will be hourly Masses beginning at 3 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Aside from Masses at Quiapo Church, there will also be Eucharistic celebrations at the Quirino Grandstand highlighted by the Fiesta High Mass by midnight of January 9 (Monday) to be presided by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula.
There will also be Masses by midnight of January 7 (Saturday), the Special Mass for Volunteers at 6 am of January 7, and by midnight of January 8 (Sunday).
“Everyone physically attending the Masses are called to wear their face masks, practice physical distancing, and frequently disinfect,” said the Quiapo Church.
The midnight Mass on January 7 is set to kick off the three-day “pagpupugay” at the Quirino Grandstand, where the devotees will be allowed to get near the image of the black Christ to touch it and wipe cloth but not to kiss it.
“The devotees will queue with physical distancing and will use the alcohol before and after touching the Black Nazarene,” said Quiapo Church.
After the midnight Mass on January 8, the inaugural “Walk of Faith” is set to be held with the Quirino Grandstand being the starting point at around 1:30 a.m.
The procession is expected to reach Quiapo Church at around 4 a.m. after snaking through the streets of the City of Manila.
“Traslacion 2023” marks the first time since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that there will be physical activities during the annual feast of the Black Nazarene.
