How the Feast of the Black Nazarene will be celebrated this 2021
The Feast of the Black Nazarene this 2021 will be a lot different than previous years, as the traditional way of celebrating it had to be altered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel leads the Novenary Mass for Nuestro Father Jesus Nazarene at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. / Source: @quiapochurch (FB)
Every year, Filipino devotees flock to the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to take part in the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church.
However, this year, the highly anticipated Traslacion will not push through as Quiapo Church “localizes” the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Instead of holding the traditional Traslacion, the image of the Black Nazarene will be brought to several places in the Archdiocese of Manila and other neighboring dioceses.
This move was done to avoid the mass gathering of Black Nazarene devotees, which could potentially further spread the COVID-19 disease.
Devotees are also prohibited to join the motorcades for the image of the Black Nazarene. Only vehicles authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) are allowed to join the motorcades.
The Archdiocese of Manila published the list of dates and places that the replica of the Black Nazarene will visit.
Dec. 30-31 - Antipolo Cathedral
Dec. 31 - Hospicio de San Jose
Jan. 1- San Lazaro Hospital
Jan 2 - Manila Cathedral
Jan 2 - Shrine of Padre Pio
Jan 3 - Greenbelt Chapel
Jan 3 - San Vicente Ferrer Parish (Biñan)
Jan 3 - Our Lady of Manaoag (Pangasinan)
Jan. 4 - Manila City Hall
Jan. 4 - San Roque Parish (Cavite City)
Jan 4 - San Jose Cathedral (Nueva Ecija)
Jan. 5 - Bureau of Fire Prevention - QC
Jan. 5 - San Isidro Parish (Las Piñas)
Jan 5 - Mother of Perpetual Help (Cabanatuan)
Jan. 6 - Manila Police District
Jan. 6 - Sto. Nino Parish (Signal, Taguig)
Jan 6 - Cathedral of San Fernando (Pampanga)
Jan. 7 - Brgy. 394 (Quiapo, Manila)
Jan. 7 - Sto. Domingo Shrine (Quezon City)
Jan. 7 - Baclaran Church
Aside from “localizing” the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, another major change that will be implemented this year is that the “pahalik” or kissing on the image will be replaced by the “patanaw” or viewing of the image.
Quiapo Church will also be setting up LED screens so that Black Nazarene devotees can watch and participate in the mass.
The annual nine-day Novena Mass had begun on December 31 and will continue until January 8.
The bishops who will preside over the Novena Masses are as follows:
Dec. 31 - Iba Bishop Bartolome Santos
Jan. 1 - Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches, Bishop Antonio Tobias
Jan. 2 - Novaliches Bishop Roberto Gaa
Jan. 3 - Caloocan Bishop Pablo David
Jan. 4 - Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches, Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani
Jan. 5 - Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara
Jan. 6 - San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura Famadico
Jan. 7 - Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista
Jan. 8 - Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Nolly Buco
On the Feast Day, January 9, the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated by Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, Apostolic Administrator of Manila.
Novena prayers are scheduled at 11:15 a.m., while Novena Masses are held at the Quiapo Church every 12:15 p.m.
They are open to the public and are live-streamed on the official Facebook page and YouTube accounts of Quiapo Church and the Archdiocese of Manila's Office of Communications.
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You might also want to check out the list of all declared holidays this 2021.