Jesus Nazareno returns to Quiapo Church after more than 20 hours

The image of Jesus Nazareno has returned to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo Church early Friday, January 10, ending a more than 20-hour procession in an intense display of the Filipinos' Catholic faith.

The image of Jesus Nazareno entered the church, called the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, at 1:26 a.m.  

The procession left Quirino Grandstand at 4:41 a.m. and lasted for 20 hours, 45 minutes and four seconds, according to Quiapo officials.

Authorities estimated over eight million devotees joined the annual Traslacion.

Devotees come to the image of Jesus Nazareno and participate in the Traslacion to pray for healing and miracles.

Nazareno 2025 marks the first celebration since it was declared a “national feast,” which all dioceses in the country will observe, according to Quiapo Church rector and bishop-elect Jun Sescon Jr.

Last year, around 6.5 million devotees participated in the Traslacion which was completed in 14 hours, 59 minutes, and 10 seconds.

Manila Police District (MPD) Police Brigadier General Thomas Ibay said some devotees were going against the direction of Traslacion and climbing over the carriage holding the image or andas.

Due to this, Ibay said the pace of the procession became slower this year compared to 2024.

The andas took almost two hours before reaching the Ayala Bridge over the Pasig River in Manila during the Traslacion as the crowd continued to go near the image of Jesus Nazareno. 

The andas also tilted along Farnecio Street but was eventually put back in place. 

Quiapo Church said the two ropes of andas broke on Finance Road going to Ayala Boulevard in the morning and near San Sebastian Church in the afternoon. 

Devotees had to push the andas against a sea of people for the procession to move. 

Over 500 people sought medical assistance during the procession, according to the Philippine Red Cross. 

Of the total patients, 20 have been hospitalized due to nausea, chest pain, deviated nose, dislocated shoulder, nose bleeding, ankle pain, difficulty of breathing, chills, back pain, and chills. 

Some kids were also reported lost during the activity. 

Despite the dangers they may encounter, several female devotees climbed the andas during the Traslacion. 

At 5:57 p.m., the andas reached the San Sebastian Church for the traditional “dungaw,” where Jesus Nazareno meets the image of Our Lady Del Carmen De San Sebastian.

Dungaw is a rite that represents a religious courtesy between the King and Queen of Quiapo, meeting majestically to guide the faithful in prayer.

It was revived in 2014 after it was discontinued for unknown reasons in the early 1900s.

In Cagayan de Oro, at least 13,000 devotees joined the Traslacion.

Jesus Nazareno feast is a 10-day activity that started on December 31, 2024 and culminated on January 9, 2025 with Traslacion or the procession of the black image of Jesus Christ from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. 

Traslacion returned in 2024 after a three-year hiatus since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Celebrated every January 9, the Traslacion commemorates the transfer of the image of the Jesus Nazarene from the San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Intramuros to Quiapo Church in the 1700s.—With  Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News