Faith burns deep as devotees queue for Nazarene ‘Pahalik’ custom

^{Photos by Danny Pata}

Faith burns intense among devotees as they count the hours down to the culmination of their annual Panata (vow) to join the January 9 feast of the Black Nazarene, highlighted by the grand procession of the Nazarene statue back to Quiapo Church.

Devotees patiently wait in long lines for their turn to touch and kiss the Cross or the face of the Black Nazarene (statue of the suffering Christ) during the "Pahalik" ritual on the eve of the grand procession. 

Oblivious of scorching Sun and changing weather conditions, devotees every year keep their Panata in fervent prayer and exultant jubilation. 

This Sunday, devotees formed long lines, covering a stretch of Roxas Boulevard near the Quirino Grandstand, for the Pahilik ritual.

Earlier, at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, a deacon blessed the devotees with their Black Nazarene replicas after a morning Mass.

—LBG, GMA News