Quiapo Church Sets Dec. 30 Thanksgiving Procession Ahead Of Jan. 9 Traslacion
Church officials said the procession will cover a 4.56-kilometer route around Manila and is expected to be shorter and more orderly than the massive traslacion that draws millions of devotees each year.
Ahead of the annual Jan. 9 traslacion, Quiapo Church will hold a thanksgiving procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno tonight, Dec. 30, as part of preparations for the major religious event.
Church officials said the procession will cover a 4.56-kilometer route around Manila and is expected to be shorter and more orderly than the massive traslacion that draws millions of devotees each year.
“It has no carriage and no rope to pull,” said Alex Irasga, technical adviser of Quiapo Church, during a press briefing on Monday, Dec. 29. “The image is on a float placed on a truck. It shall move like a slow running car.”
Irasga said the image will be closely guarded by members of the Hijos del Nazareno, including police officers who are also devotees, to ensure security during the procession.
“They will be tasked to protect the image during the Thanksgiving Procession,” he said.
According to the route released by the church, the procession will begin and end at Plaza Miranda, passing through major streets including Villalobos, Palanca, Carriedo, Evangelista, Gonzalo Puyat, Quezon Boulevard, Arlegui, Legarda, Hidalgo and Bilibid Viejo.
Church officials expect the procession to last only two to three hours, significantly shorter than the traslacion, which can run for several hours. Last year’s grand procession lasted nearly 21 hours.
The annual traslacion on Jan. 9 commemorates the transfer of the image of Jesus Nazareno from Intramuros to its present shrine in Quiapo. The event traditionally draws huge crowds of barefoot devotees seeking blessings and miracles.
Around 200 police officers will secure the traslacion or the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene.
Police will protect the carriage carrying the religious image and monitor the devotees pulling its ropes, Irasga said.
No minors are allowed to pull the ropes, Irasga stressed, recalling that children suffered fractures in past traslacions.
Distinct uniforms showing the image of the Black Nazarene and the words “Police ng Panginoon” will be worn by the policemen, Irasga said.
The Philippine National Police will also deploy 14,000 personnel in Manila on the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.
The traslacion from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church is expected to last 15 hours. Devotees are encouraged to join the thanksgiving procession tonight.
