Black Nazarene back at Quiapo Church; Traslacion took 15 hours

The Black Nazarene has returned to its home in Quiapo Church following a procession attended by some 6.5 million devotees, one of the biggest crowds in the history of the annual religious festival.

The image, encased in glass and atop a carriage, left Quirino Grandstand at 4:45 a.m. and arrived at the church at 7:44 p.m. for a total of 14 hours, 59 minutes and 10 seconds.

According to the National Capital Police Region Office, the number of people during the Traslacion was 2,807,700 as of 1 p.m.

In an update, the Quiapo Church communications office said 6,532,501 people were recorded in the procession from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Part of the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Traslacion is the procession of the 400-year-old black image of Jesus Christ or Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

Millions of devotees take part in Traslacion with the belief that the Black Nazarene could heal their illnesses and help grant their prayers.

A devotee flew from Davao to take part in the procession and pray for her husband's recovery.  Another prayed for his wife's healing from cancer. 

A broken rope pulling the andas of the Black Nazarene image, several injuries, the weather, hunger, and fatigue did not diminish the resolve of the devotees to finish the six-kilometer crawl — with some even walking barefoot, which they said was a sign of humility and part of their sacrifice.

Rousing ovation

As the image entered Quiapo Church, devotees gave it a rousing ovation with chants of "Viva, Poong Hesus, Nazareno."

The church called on the Catholic faithful to “lift” Jesus Christ and put Him at the center of their lives. 

“Hindi lamang isang daan, isang libo kundi milyon-milyon tayong mga deboto ang naririto sa Quiapo, sa iba’t ibang dako ng Pilipinas at sa iba’t ibang dako ng mundo, pare-pareho tayo ng hinihiling at ipinapanalangin sa araw na ito: ibig namin makita si Hesus,” said Rev. Msgr. Regie Malicdem in his homily for the Holy Mass after the Traslacion. 

(Not only thousands but millions of devotees here in Quiapo and across the Philippines and the world, are praying for one thing today: we want to see Jesus Christ.)

“Kapag may gusto tayong makita at maraming tao ang gustong makakita ng parehong bagay, isang paraan para makita ng lahat ay ‘yung itass ‘yung bagay na ‘yun,” he said.  (If we want to see something, one way is to lift it.)

“Kung ang panalangin dating lahat sa pyesta natin, ibig po namin makita si Hesus, para natin makita si Jesus, itanghal natin, iangat natin, tinangalain natin si Hesus,” he added. 

(That’s why in line with our prayer to see Him, we should look up to put Jesus Christ at the center of our lives.)

The theme for the 2024 Nazareno is: “Ibig namin makita si Jesus”. (We want to see Jesus Christ.)

The Quiapo Church was visibly packed as some devotees gathered at the church to attend the Holy Mass after the procession.

“Dumating man ‘yung panahon na di natin siya makita, maging malabo man ang pagtingin natin sa Kaniya, nakikita niya tayo. Di man natin siya maabot at makapitan, inaabot, kinakapitan at niyayakap niya tayo,” said Malicdem.

(If the time comes that we cannot see Him, Jesus Christ will always see us. Even if we feel like we cannot hold onto Him, Jesus Christ is always embracing and reaching out to us.)

“Kaya naman magdiwang tayo sa araw na ito sapagkat sa araw na ito isa lang na katunayan ang mapanghahawakan natin, na mahal na mahal tao ng Poong Hesus Nazareno,” he added. 

(We should celebrate this day because this is a testament that the Black Nazarene loves us.)

'Generally peaceful'

This was the first time the traditional Traslacion was held after three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, the last Traslacion before the pandemic gathered more than 3 million devotees and lasted 16 hours.

In 2021, instead of holding Traslacion, the image was brought to several places in the Archdiocese of Manila and other neighboring dioceses. The traditional "pahalik" or kissing on the image was also replaced by "patanaw" or "viewing." This was done again in 2022. 

Two popes have already acknowledged the Filipinos' devotion to the Black Nazarene.

Back in 1650, Pope Innocent X approved the veneration of the statue while Pope Pius VII also granted indulgences to those who would pray before the image of the Jesus of Nazarene.

The Philippine National Police, through its spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said this year's gathering was "generally peaceful except for some reported minor illnesses and injuries sustained by devotees and other spectators."—With Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News