Devotees gather at Quiapo Church for blessing of Nazareno replicas

Catholic devotees on Thursday gathered at the Quiapo Church in Manila, for the Replica and Estandarte Blessing of the Black Nazarene.

According to Isa Umali's report on Super Radyo dzBB, the blessing is being conducted at the base of the footbridge along Quezon Boulevard near the church.

For the occasion, the replicas were decorated with flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Devotees also sung and danced as they celebrated the Jesus Nazarene.

Many devotees said they came from different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, motorists were advised to take alternative routes while the blessing was ongoing to avoid the slowdown in traffic.

"Ito ay isa sa pagpapahayag ng pananampalataya ng mga deboto. Pagdating mismo ng kapistahan atin na itong ipinagbabawal, during the midnight mass hindi na magkakaroon ng anumang pagbabasbas para sa kaligtasan ng lahat," said Nazareno 2025 spokesperson Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano in Mariz Umali's 24 Oras report. 

(It is one of the expressions of faith of the devotees. On the feast day, we will no longer allow this, during the midnight mass there will not be any blessing for everyone's safety.)

Starting this year, January 9 is considered a national festival after Quiapo Church was elevated as a national shrine.

"Hindi lang sa Quiapo, ang deboto natin matatagpuan sa ibat ibang sulok ng Pilipinas at sa buong mundo. Ibig sabihin nito ang kanya kanyang parokya ay pwede na ring magdaos ng kapistahan on their level," said Fr. Arellano.

(Not only in Quiapo, our devotees can be found in different corners of the Philippines and all over the world. This means that his parish can hold a festival on their level.)

Also, starting this year, the image of the Black Nazarene will be called "Jesus Nazarene".

"Sa kasaysayan hindi lubos na klarado kung saan nagmula yang pagtawag na Itim na Nazareno or Black Nazarene. Kaya nga pinapalitan natin ang itim sa tunay na pangalan ng ating Panginoon Hesus: Hesus Nazareno," he added.

(Historically, it is not entirely clear where the term Black Nazarene originated. That's why we changed the black to the real name of our Lord Jesus: Jesus of Nazareth.)

Moreover, the route of the Traslacion on January 9 is the same as last year. The image will be covered with glass to prevent devotees from climbing up the andas or carriage.

The Office of the HDN General Secretariat said that as of 5 p.m., the total of accredited replicas brought by balangays was at 1,100. The number does not include those belonging to individuals.

The Nazareno Operation Center said the crowd was estimated at approximately 30,000 people.

Part of the annual celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno on January 9 is the procession of the 400-year-old black image of Jesus Christ from the Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo in Manila.

The Quiapo Church previously reported that as many as 6.5 million people participated in Nazareno 2024, the first Traslacion after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, organizers conducted a walk-through to ensure the safety of devotees along the procession route.

Attention was given to manholes, roadside shops, electric wires and parked vehicles.

The technical adviser of the Minor Basilica said the number of devotees in the upcoming Traslacion might decrease compared to last year.

Some 14,000 police personnel are expected to be deployed in the area during the procession.

Moreover, the Quirino Grandstand is being prepared for the traditional "pahalik" (kissing or touching the image of the dark-skinned image of Jesus Christ) from January 7 to 9.
—RF, GMA Integrated News