Thousands attend first Walk of Faith for Feast of Black Nazarene

An estimated 88,000 devotees attended the first ever Walk of Faith in Manila before dawn on Sunday as part of the activities of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, according to the Quiapo Church Command Post. 

The walk started from the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park at 1:30 a.m. then finished after two and a half hours upon arrival at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more popularly known as Quiapo Church.

The Walk of Faith has started. The devotees will walk from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. It is expected to last for two to three hours. | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vNo6H7STFN

— Franchesca Viernes (@chekaviernes) January 7, 2023

The signage of the Walk of Faith is seen at the entrance to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more popularly known as Quiapo Church, as the pre-dawn procession ends on Sunday, January 8, 2023, as part of the activities for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Danny Pata

The Walk of Faith was held instead of the traditional Traslacion long procession bearing the image of the Black Nazarene in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Traslacion, held annually to commemorate the transfer of the Black Nazarene replica from Intramuros to the Quiapo Church back in 1767, and participated in by as much as 3 million devotees, has been canceled since 2020 due to the pandemic.

Though the image of the Black Nazarene was not part of Sunday's Walk of Faith, some devotees brought Nazareno statues and photos.

PANOORIN: As of 2:30am, tuloy-tuloy ang usad ng isinasagawang "Walk of Faith" kaugnay ng #Nazareno2023. | via @Rodveg72 @dzbb pic.twitter.com/Sda6EPOko9

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 7, 2023

Devotees also brought candles, which they held all throughout the walk while singing worship songs and praying.

Meanwhile, those waiting by the roadside displayed images of the Black Nazarene and even staged performances to honor the Nazareno.

These just prove that the Walk of Faith was a success, said Fr. Earl Valdez of the Quiapo Church and one of the officials for the Nazareno 2023 activities.

“Those who participated in the Walk of Faith seem to have gotten the point and meaning of the activity, and embraced it wholly,” he said.

Police Captain Rowell Robles, Plaza Miranda commander, added that adequate preparations and measures were put in place which made way for a safe and peaceful Walk of Faith.

“Base po sa paghahanda na ginawa natin sa agency, nasunod naman po lahat ng dapat gawin,” he said. “Sa tulong tulong, maayos po at matiwasay na natapos ang aktibidad.”

(Based on the preparations done by our agency, everything was followed. With everyone's help, the activity was done in an orderly and peaceful manner.)

Some roads in Manila have been closed since January 6 for the Black Nazarene activities. The road closures will be in effect until January 9.

LOOK: Schedule of road closures in Manila for Feast of the Black Nazarene

During the Mass held Sunday before the Walk of Faith, presiding priest Fr. Rufino Sescon, Jr. said the absence of the usual Traslacion is not a hindrance to celebrating one’s faith.

“Hindi mapipigilan ang ating debosyon at pagmamahal kaya gagawin natin ang Walk of Faith,” he said.

(Our devotion and love [for the Black Nazarene] cannot be hindered so we will have the Walk of Faith.)

Nazareno 2023 was already kicked-off with novena masses that started on December 31, 2022. It will last until January 9, where Cardinal Jose Advincula will lead a Mass to be held at 12:01 a.m. 

—KG, GMA Integrated News