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Devotees flock to Quiapo church on Black Nazarene feast day


Devotees flock to Quiapo church on Black Nazarene feast day

Many Catholic devotees flocked to Quiapo Church early Saturday morning to attend the Mass in honor of the Black Nazarene whose feast day is being celebrated.

The mass presider is Manila Archdiocese Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo.

The devotees could be seen initially observing social distancing as part of health protocols observed to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a report by GMA News reporter Corinne Catibayan.

 

 

However, social distancing became a challenge as more people kept arriving and contact tracing forms were running short of supply, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Dobol B sa News TV.

 

 

 

 

Some devotees were also confused regarding protocols for entering Quiapo Church.

 

 

The Philippine National Police set up control points around the church to control the volume of devotees, according to a report by Manny Vargas on Super Radyo dzBB.

 

 

On Quezon Boulevard, a flock of devotees could be seen heading for the church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Hijos del Nazareno, who serve as marshals, went around reminding devotees to observe social distancing.

 

 

Ambulant vendors were also at the area selling face shields.

 

 

The January 9 feast day of the Black Nazarene is traditionally attended by thousands of devotees who attend the Pahalik (kissing of the image) and the Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta before the huge procession called Traslacion is held ending at Quiapo Church.

This year's Traslacion has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monsignor Hernando Coronel, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, on Friday said it would be better for devotees to participate in online Masses or in their local churches on Jan. 9 during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

"Dini-discourage po namin na pumunta kayo sa simbahan ng Quiapo sapagkat nasa pandemic tayo," Coronel said during an online forum of the Department of Health.

However, crowds of people still proceeded to Quiapo Church on Saturday morning. BAP/KG, GMA News

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