Nazarene devotees in Naga keep faith even without 'pahalik'

Catholic devotees flocked to Naga City, Camarines Sur over the weekend to join the traditional Black Nazarene Traslacion.

According to Jessica Calinog’s report on “BaliTanghali” on Monday, devotees from various parts of the country participated in the procession which started from the Holy Cross Parish in Barangay Tabuco to Plaza Quezon.

Replicas of the Black Nazarene were blessed upon their arrival at the plaza where the annual Padasal (prayers) was also conducted.

“‘Yung replica, very important kasi it reflects the personal devotion of our devotees here in Naga City,”  Nicomedes Sirios III of the Holy Cross Parish said.

Organizers resumed the Traslacion but opted not to reinstate the "pahalik" (kissing of the statues) to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Participants were instead given individual cotton balls which they can use to touch the replica of the Black Nazarene, the report said.

Strict security protocols were also put in place in areas for the procession to ensure the safety of the devotees, it added.

A 12 noon pontifical mass was held at the plaza. The image of the Black Nazarene will be on procession at 5 p.m. before its scheduled return at the Holy Cross Parish.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News