Fanaticism? Act of faith, says Quiapo Church on Traslacion

The long wait is over.

Three years after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene is set to return to the streets of Manila on January 9, with millions of Filipino devotees expected to join the procession.

One of the activities in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Traslacion is a lengthy procession that carries the statue of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand back to Quiapo Church.  

Devotees participating in the Traslacion endure sleep deprivation, hunger, and extreme heat during the procession of the 400-year-old image, all in the hopes of having the opportunity to touch or kiss the Black Nazarene for healing or miraculous intervention. 

While some critics dismiss the event as mere fanaticism, the Quiapo Church views the sacrifices made by the devotees as a powerful testament to their unwavering faith.

“Ito ay pananampalataya at hindi pagiging panatiko…Hindi ang simbahan ang tumatawag sa milyong tao na dumadayo ng Quiapo para lang sa selebrasyon, [kundi] ang Poong Hesus Nazareno,”  Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Hans Magdurulang told GMA News Online in a Viber message.

(This is an act of faith and not fanaticism. It is not the Church that calls for them but the Black Nazarene.)

“Sa pagbabalik ng tradisyunal na pagdiriwang ng Traslacion, asahan po natin ang bugso ng mga deboto. Isang deboto na may pananampalataya maging sa prusisyon ng Traslacion at sa pagdalo ng Banal na Misa,” he said.

(With the return of the Traslacion, we should expect an influx of devotees. Devotees who have faith for the procession and the Holy Mass.)

Magdurulang also said the pandemic did not deter the hearts of the devotees, as they still joined the festivities even without the procession.

“Tatlong taon tayong hindi nakapagdiwang nito dahil sa pandemya subalit nitong nakaraang 2021, bagama't walang prusisyon ng Traslacion ang mga deboto at mananampalataya ay nanatiling pumunta o dumayo ng Quiapo upang dumalo ng oras-oras na Banal na Misa,” he said. 

(We did not hold the procession for three years but devotees flocked to the church for the Holy Mass.)

“Dumayo para dumalo ng Banal na Misa, hindi dumayo para pagpilitang magkaroon ng Traslacion,” he added. 

(They went to the Church for the Mass and not the procession.)

In December 2023, Quiapo Church first announced the return on Traslacion as church representatives, police, and other government agencies conducted a walkthrough for the 2024 Traslacion.

The Church said it is considering reinstating old practices for the celebration of the Black Nazarene feast which includes encasing the image of the Black Nazarene in a glass box to protect the statue from possible damage while leaving a portion of the cross exposed for those who wish to touch it.

To ensure public safety during the procession, the Quiapo Church also issued reminders such as prohibiting devotees from climbing the andas.

The Philippine National Police earlier said around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the activities of the 2024 Black Nazarene feast which includes the traditional Traslacion.—AOL, GMA Integrated News