Procession During the Feast of the Black Nazarene

Today, January 9, millions of Filipino Catholic devotees are going to participate in Traslacion, or the transfer of the image of the Poong Itim na Nazareno (Black Nazarene) from the Luneta/Rizal Park to Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Manila's Quiapo district.  The Poong Itim na Nazareno is a life-sized, dark wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.

Miracles are attributed to the presence of the image so many of these devotees will brave the crowd to wipe their towels or handkerchiefs on the image. They believe that doing so will bless their intentions or heal their sicknesses.

Source: Wikipedia

The image has notable historical significance. According to the website of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Augustinian Recollect friars brought the image of the Black Nazarene to the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan, (now part of Luneta/Rizal Park) on May 31, 1606. The image was transferred to the bigger Recollect church of San Nicolas de Tolentino in 1608. Basilio Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina, S.P., the Archbishop of Manila, ordered the transfer of the image to the Church of Quiapo in 1787.


Following is a schedule of the activities for this year's observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene:

Luneta/Rizal Park and Quirino Grandstand

January 8
7:00 p.m. - Start of the vigil

January 9
12:00 a.m. - Continuation of the vigil
4:00 a.m. - Wrapping up the vigil activities, short catechesis, and closing prayer
6:00 a.m. - Holy Mass to be led by His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D.D.
7:30 a.m. - Procession of the image of the Black Nazarene from Luneta to Quiapo Church


Quiapo Church

January 9
3:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon - Masses
7:00 a.m. - Band parade
3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Masses