How devotees prepare for Traslacion 2026: It starts with prayers

It all starts and ends with prayers.

For thousands of Filipino Catholics, the traditional Traslacion is more than just a religious procession. It is an act of deep devotion, as they brave through the massive crowds to offer prayers of gratitude and pleas to Jesus Nazareno.

Jaime Soriano, 51, is one of the devotees of Jesus Nazareno. For 16 years, Soriano walked with other faithfuls during the grand procession.

 

 

His annual devotion started in 2009 after doctors warned that his then-pregnant wife may suffer childbirth complications due to a medical condition.

"The doctors said there may be complications to her childbirth but I didn't want to believe them,"  Soriano told GMA News Online.

"I went to Quiapo and joined the Traslacion to pray for my wife. Despite the warning, she had a normal delivery. That's when I started to believe in the Nazarene," he said.

From that moment, Soriano returned every year. He also participated in the annual Pahalik, or the kissing of the image of the Black Nazarene, at the Quirino Grandstand.

In previous years, his wife and children walked beside him in the annual procession. He will go alone this year, however, as his family opted to attend the morning Mass of Friday, January 9.

Yet before they part ways and head to Quiapo Church, one tradition remains unchanged: they pray together.

"Our family always prays before going to church. We ask the Black Nazarene for his guidance and for our safety," Soriano added.

Traslacion

Traslacion is one of the activities in the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene; it is a procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church of the 400-year-old black image of Jesus Christ.

Devotees who participate in the procession are barefoot as a sign of humility. They also endure hours of physical discomfort to get close to and touch the statue as part of their sacrifice. They believe the image is miraculous as it has survived several disasters, including fires and earthquakes.

The grand procession usually draws millions of Catholic devotees from across the country, with over 8 million joining the tradition in 2025 alone.

Like Soriano, 53-year-old Henry Galang has been participating in Traslacion for years as part of his devotion.

 

 

Galang first attended the grand procession in high school and has been faithful to the tradition for over 35 years. He lined up for the annual Pahalik on Thursday, January 8, but his siblings would join him for Traslacion on Friday.

He usually prepares for Traslacion by taking a day off from work.

"My siblings will join the procession tomorrow. I usually join too, but I may opt out this year...But we are planning to hear the Mass together," Galang said.

Sandro Samonte, 67, also believes his faith in the Black Nazarene helped him recover from his illnesses.

 

 

Samonte only began joining Traslacion in 2024 and has since returned despite his old age. While he will not join the grand procession this year, he plans to throw towels toward the image of the Black Nazarene, a gesture believed by devotees to carry blessings.

"Joining Traslacion is important for me because the Black Nazarene helped me recover from my illnesses. He was my healer," said Samonte

To prepare, Samonte said prayer has become a part of his daily routine.

"I prepared by praying repeatedly. I prayed to the Black Nazarene in the mornings and afternoons, and even before I went to sleep," he added.

Despite coming from different backgrounds, the devotees join the Traslacion carrying similar prayers and devotions. Their journey all begins and ends in the same way: in prayer, offered to the Black Nazarene.—LDF, GMA Integrated News