MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said the annual procession or Translacion of Black Nazarene has continued to strengthen the faith of the Filipino people.
Duterte is hopeful the image of Christ will inspire everyone towards a progressive nation as he called for compassion and selflessness of Filipinos in his message during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Thursday.
“The stories of conversion and miracles surrounding this important occasion attest to the richness of our religious and cultural heritage,” Duterte said. “Together, let us work towards achieving a better and more inclusive future for all Filipinos.”
Close to 220,000 devotees of Black Nazarene have joined the crowd near the image, according to the estimation of the Manila Police District.
Meanwhile, devotees in Quiapo already reached more or less 130,000 to 100,000 estimated inside the Quiapo Church, while more or less 30,000 devotees are outside the church.
Father Douglas Badong, vicar of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, said that the procession is expected to reach the Church of the Black Nazarene faster because of the shorter route compared to the 2019 gathering.
“Sana makabalik within Thursday night,” Badong said. “Maraming deboto ‘yung may pasok ngayon. ‘Pag naabutan kami, dodoble ‘yung bilang ng tao.”
The yearly Translacion commemorates the first procession transferring the life-size image of Jesus Christ from a church in Intramuros to the Minor Basilica in Quiapo on Jan. 9, 1767.
The procession draws up more than 15 million devotees, many clawing and climbing over each other as they attempt to touch or wipe towels on the statue of Christ bent under his cross, which is believed to be miraculous./PN