Devotees, mostly clad in yellow and maroon shirts, trooped to the Quiapo Church in Manila to attend the Masses in honor of the Black Nazarene on Saturday despite threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Quiapo Church scheduled 15 Masses as the traditional traslacion procession of the revered image was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 threat.
The traslacion commemorates the transfer of the Black Nazarene image from Luneta to Quiapo Church.
Archdiocese of Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo took note of the number of faithful who went to Quiapo Church to celebrate the feast day of the Nazareno.
“To you devotees, thank you…your faith is very touching,” he said.
The prelate presided over the Fiesta Mass for the Black Nazarene at 4:30 a.m. which was attended by thousands of devotees, both inside and outside the church.
Those who attended the Mass wore facemasks, faceshields and observed physical distancing in compliance with the health protocols.
However, some devotees attended Mass in other churches where there is a replica of the Black Nazarene such as the Sta. Cruz Church and San Sebastian Church.
Parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila also celebrated fiesta Masses Saturday.
The celebration of the Traslacion 2021 was localized to lessen the crowd at Quiapo Church in view of the pandemic.