MANILA, Philippines – The revered image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, more popularly known as the Black Nazarene, will be transferred to the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, early Saturday for an overnight vigil, in preparation for the grand procession Sunday, Jan. 9.
Millions of devotees are expected to attend Sunday’s procession which will start from the Rizal Park, Manila, at 8 am following the 6 am Mass by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
Msgr. Jose Clemente F. Ignacio, rector of the Quiapo Church, said Church leaders have decided not to disclose thedeparture and arrival times of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand to avoid big crowds of devotees at Plaza Miranda in front of the church. He encouraged those attending Saturday’s celebration “to just proceed to the Quirino Grandstand tonight for the series of prayer activities that will begin early today.”
Last year, the image of the Black Nazarene was quietly taken to the Quirino Grandstand for the overnight vigil.
The program of activities will start at 1 p.m. with the traditional “Pahalik sa Poong Nazareno,” when devotees and penitents line up to kiss the feet or wipe the feet or hands of the centuries-old image This will be followed by a band parade at 3:30 p.m., a mass and a healing service at 5 p.m. The overnight vigil begins at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Jan. 9, talks will be held at 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., while the Holy Hour will be observed at 4 a.m. Ignacio said the procession will take the traditional route this year “to help prevent congestion at the gate of the church that may lead to accidents.”
A procession of the replicas of the Black Nazarene was held Friday afternoon on the streets of Quiapo as a prelude to Sunday’s mammoth procession.
Ignacio called on devotees “to pray for the unborn. We are calling on people to value life and pray for the protection of the unborn. Let’s also pray for the mothers who have problems in their pregnancy. Let’s help them. I pray that our nation will be a cradle of life and love.”
Meanwhile, the last of the novena in honor of the Black Nazarene that began last Dec. 31 will be held at the Quiapo Church Saturday. Masses will be held by the hour from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, devotees of the Black Nazarene were advised by a Catholic prelate to first consult a doctor if they plan to join the procession Sunday.
Taytay Bishop Edgardo Juanich issued the advice to the faithful noting the number of devotees suffering from heat stroke during the procession. “They might suffer from heat stroke due to the hot weather and the big number of people joining,” he said over radio Friday.
source: mb.com.ph/
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