TRASLACIÓN, the mammoth procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, will return on Jan. 9 with the carriage enclosed in a bulletproof glass case, according to Quiapo Church officials.
That means devotees expected to descend to Manila for the festivities cannot climb the carriage or andas, said Quiapo Church Rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr.
“Devotees are not allowed to go on top of the andas of Hesus Nazareno so that everyone will see clearly Hesus Nazareno,” he told the Varsitarian in an email. “This is also to prevent people from getting hurt.”
Devotees, however, can still pull the rope of the carriage and throw their handkerchiefs, the rector added.
Fr. Hans Magdurulang, spokesman for Nazareno 2024, said in an interview that the return of the Traslación after a three-year hiatus would be an “act of thanksgiving” for overcoming the ordeals that Filipinos had experienced.
“Ito’y malaking bagay lalo na para sa mga deboto ng Itim na Nazareno na para sa kanila, ‘yong kaligtasan, ‘yong [survival], they will always associate it sa kanilang pananampalataya sa Poong Nazareno,” Magdurulang told the Varsitarian. “Kaya itong gagawin natin [na] Traslación ulit ay hindi lamang […] act of request ulit ng tao, kung hindi […] magiging act of thanksgiving coming from the very hard experience ng pandemic.”
The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene last organized the Traslación in 2020 before cases of coronavirus spread throughout the country, which triggered months-long hard lockdowns and strict bans on mass gatherings.
Even when most restrictions were lifted in late 2022, officials decided to call off the Traslación for the safety of devotees. A “Walk of Faith” was held in 2023 in lieu of the procession.
Activities for Traslación 2024
More than 22 million turned up for the last Traslación in 2020. Sescon said devotees clamored for the return of the traditional procession.
“The devotees wish to see Hesus Nazareno at the Traslación,” Sescon said. “The significance of this return is that the devotees will be able to join again in this traditional practice of Traslación as a way for them to express their faith in Hesus Nazareno, who walks with them in their lives, bringing hope, answering their prayers and helping them overcome the many struggles of their life.”
This year’s theme is “Ibig po naming makita si Hesus,” or “We want to see Jesus.”
The Manila Police District will deploy more than 13,000 police officers on Jan. 9, said the Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.
On. Jan. 3 and 4, replicas of the image of the Black Nazarene will be blessed.
The original image – brought to the Philippines by a Recollect priest from Mexico – will be transported to the Quirino Grandstand on Jan. 6 for the pahalik tradition, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside over the Misa Mayor at midnight on Jan. 9.
The carriage will traverse more than 20 streets to reach Quiapo Church, a distance of over three kilometers that took at least 15 hours to finish in the past.
With the return of Traslación comes the return of the “Dungaw” rite, in which the image of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel meets the Black Nazarene when the latter reaches San Sebastian Church at Plaza del Carmen.
At Quiapo Church, hourly Masses will be celebrated from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sescon advised devotees to bring transparent bags for easier inspection and confine children and sick people on the roadsides.
Magdurulang assured the faithful that Quiapo Church had coordinated with government agencies to ensure the safety of all who would flock to Manila for the festivities.
“[W]e can assure our devotees – hindi lang devotees, kung hindi lahat ng mga magsisimba, lahat ng mga kababayan natin – makasisiguro kayo na ginagawa ng Simbahan at ng pamahalaan ang lahat para sa seguridad, kalusugan at, higit sa lahat, siyempre, sa kabanalan ng pagdiriwang,” the spokesperson said.
The Traslación of the Black Nazarene is held every Jan. 9 to commemorate the image’s transfer from San Nicolas de Tolentino Church inside Intramuros to Quiapo Church in 1787. Sheila May S. Balagan and Ammiel B. Maestrado with reports from Justin Benedict T. Lim
