Devotees welcome Black Nazarene in churches ahead of feast day

Devotees are making their way to churches where a replica of the Black Nazarene has been brought during the nine-day novena that precedes the feast day on January 9.

In Mark Salazar's report on 24 Oras on Monday, the faithful followers include Lorena Barbosa, who is praying for her husband's healing.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanya, tinulungan po kami kahapon," she said, in tears. "Pero continuous pa rin po ang pagdadasal ko dahil ang asawa ko po, stage four na po...labas-pasok po kami sa Lung Center pero malaki po ang pananampalataya ko sa Poong Nazareno, marami pong tinulong sa amin."

Another devotee, Emie, is also hoping for the recovery of a loved one who underwent surgery.

At San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan, churchgoers ended mass by making their own silent petitions before the Nazarene and waving handkerchiefs as a symbol of giving thanks.

This particular Nazarene replica—called Uno, as it is the first of 17 official replicas of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church that are brought out for the visits—was then transported to the Cathedral Shrine of the Good Shepherd in Novaliches, where the parish priest explained the Nazarene's journey through Metro Manila's dioceses.

"Humingi tayo ng tulong sa ating Poong Nazareno, sa ating mga sariling kahilingan," he said.

Also there was stroke survivor Evelyn, who said she will never stop giving thanks; and young people such as Jeffrey, who was encouraged follow his friends and neighbors into the devotion of the Black Nazarene in Grade 6.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated every January 9, after a nine-day novena that starts on December 31.

It culminates in the Traslacion, a procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church that draws more than a million Filipinos from all over the country to Manila.

The images from this event have become familiar: a sea of red and yellow surging around a carroza bearing the figure of the kneeling Christ. Devotees known as mamamasan pull on thick ropes to move the carriage down the street, as others riding on the andas (as the carroza is also called) catch handkerchiefs tossed at them, rub them on the image, and toss them back down to the crowd.

Since 2021, the Traslacion has been paused due to the pandemic. This year, said organizers, some of the traditional activities will be conducted, except for the pahalik (the kissing of Black Nazarene image) and the pasanan (carrying).

Instead, the feast will include pagpupugay (viewing and touching) and a “walk of faith” procession, which is a parade without the Black Nazarene image—instead, organizers are asking devotees to bring their own small replicas or images of the Nazarene.

Masses will also be conducted in Quirino Grandstand on January 7, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. for devotees and 6 a.m. for administrators.

The pagpupugay will also be held in Quirino Grandstand in Luneta from January 7 to 9, 2023.

Another Mass will be held at the Quirino Grandstand followed by the “walk of faith procession”  and a vigil on January 8, 2023.

The walk of faith procession will start from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on January 8, 2023 from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

On the day of the feast on January 9, 2023, another Mass will be conducted at the Quirino Grandstand. — BM, GMA Integrated News