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Jesus and Mary meet earlier than usual at this year's Dungaw
The image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel greeted her son Jesus during the traditional Dungaw on Thursday afternoon in the Traslacion's procession.
The Black Nazarene arrived at Plaza del Carmen, outside San Sebastian Church, to meet the Virgin Mary at 4:33 pm.
He was greeted by the pealing of church bells as the crowd shouted, "Viva!"
During this year's Dungaw, both the icons of Mama Mary and Jesus Christ were brought closer to each other.
The image of Mama Mary was placed on a stage connected to the Church, as she greeted her son.
"Sisikapin natin mapalapit ang image ng Poong Nazareno. Sisikapin sa tulong ng ihos ng Nazareno at pulis. May measures na gagawin para Dungaw talaga mangyari, hindi silip lang," said San Sebastian Father Rector Edgar Tubio in a press conference on Thursday morning.
When both icons of the Virgin Mary and Jesus were facing each other, the devotees began their prayers. As the homily began, the crowd fell silent.
After about ten minutes, the Dungaw ended as the Traslacion procession continued towards Quiapo Church.
The Dungaw happened at an earlier time this year due to the shortening of the Traslacion processional route.
According to former Father Rector Rommel Rubia, the change in the Traslacion route also caused the early placement of Mother Mary's vests by the sisters in the parish.
LOOK: The image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has been dressed, and is ready for the Dungaw. According to San Sebastian priests, she was vested earlier than last year because of changes in the Traslacion schedule. | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/wxu4kXG2kp
— Angelica Y. Yang (@angelicayyang) January 9, 2020
The Dungaw is a religious courtesy and cultural practice inherited from the Spanish, according to the former Father Rector Rev. Fr. Rommel Rubia.
Contrary to popular belief, the Dungaw is not related to the liturgical Engkwentro or the meeting of Mama Mary with her suffering son during his Crucifixion.
As early as 8 a.m., crowds of devotees, who wore red and yellow, gathered outside the San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila.
Some brought floats with replicas of the Virgin Mary and her son.
Several of the devotees who attended the morning mass at San Sebastian lined up to wipe their bimpos or towels on the replicas of the Black Nazarene and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel outside the church.
The tradition of the Dungaw was revived during the 2014 Traslacion procession.
This marks the 7th year of its revival. — LA, GMA News
