MANILA (Agencies): “With this opportunity [after the pandemic], especially the Traslacion, everyone, including the Church and government, [has] tried to renew and restore the traditions… We are returning to the first expression of devotion; this is a reset for our Nazareno 2024, especially the Traslacion that will be held,” Father Rufino Sescon, rector and parish priest of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene— Quiapo Church— said on January 4.
Father Sescon was speaking ahead of the feast of Jesus the Black Nazarene on January 9 in Manila, the Philippines, calling on devotees, police, media and all who will be attending the celebration to help in making it solemn, safe and orderly.
According to the Operations Director of Nazareno 2024, Bong Grajo, everything is well prepared, and “the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene engaged in an extensive and in-depth formation programme among devotees.”
Grajo added that they also had interagency coordination and interoperability exercises with different organisations and government agencies involved.
The Manila City Government together with the Philippine National Police, military and medical personnel, are also geared up to maintain peace and order.
The most anticipated activity that is part of the celebration of the feast is the procession known as Traslacion which reenacts the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene, which was then in Intramuros, to St. John the Baptist Parish in Quiapo Church.
After three years of not being able to fully celebrate the occasion because of the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, officials are expecting millions of devotees to come to the Traslacion and venerate the image of Jesus this year.
The celebration usually has three main venues: the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, the Quiapo Church and the procession route.
Father Sescon, defended the Black Nazarene devotees against some sweeping criticisms hurled against them, CBCP News reported on January 6. He asserted that “no true devotee” would engage in negative actions, especially during the celebration of the Black Nazarene feast.
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We are returning to the first expression of devotion; this is a reset for our Nazareno 2024, especially the Traslacion that will be held
Father Sescon
While he acknowledged the presence of “adventurous elements”, he emphasised that a true devotee would never hurt others just to touch the Nazarene statue.
“Let us help the devotees get a good name because true devotees are willing and will cooperate,” Father Sescon said.
The highlight of the celebration will start at Quirino Grandstand on January 8, RVA News reported, where the kissing and venerating of the image of Jesus will happen. Jose Cardinal Advincula of Manila, will lead the midnight Eucharistic celebration. After the Mass, there will be a morning prayer before the Traslacion starts.
According to statistics, in the years before the pandemic, the event gathered about two million people per passing hour, from the eve of the feast day up to the whole day of January 9.
This year, the routine that was usually carried out in the celebration, namely the thanksgiving Masses, the blessing of the images or replicas a few days before the feast, the Traslacion, and “pacaridad,” or giving of food to the devotees, will be back as part of the celebration.
The biggest change that officials emphasised is that the devotees will no longer be allowed to climb up the caroza [carriage], also called “andas,” of the Black Nazarene. In the years before the pandemic, devotees usually climb up and touch the image of Jesus throughout the procession.
Volunteers called Hijos Del Nazarenos will guard the image of Jesus the Black Nazarene in a glass enclosed caroza this year.
