Catholic devotees offered their prayers online to celebrate the Feast of Black Nazarene amid the ongoing global pandemic.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has completely changed the way Filipino Catholics celebrate this year’s feast day of the Black Nazarene.
Hourly masses in Quiapo Church or Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene were live-streamed on its official social media page so devotees could still hear mass even in the comfort of their homes.
Church officials limited the number of people inside Quiapo Church to 30 percent to ensure that physical distancing is observed, and in compliance with the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Devotees who were unable to physically attend masses posted their prayers on the official Facebook page of Quiapo Church where the hourly masses are live-streamed.
“Mahal na Poong Nazareno, gabayan niyo po at patnubayan ang aking pamilya. Ilayo niyo po kami sa anumang sakuna at sakit, lalong higit sa sakit na COVID-19 (Dear Lord, please guide my family. Keep us away from any disaster and disease, especially from COVID-19),” a netizen posted.
Most of the devotees on social media prayed to the Black Nazarene to bless their family and help them overcome the challenges, especially this time of need.
“Poong Nazarene, nawa'y lagi mo po kaming protektahan at ilayo sa kapahamakan at nawa’y hindi kami magkasakit. Nawa din po na gumaling na lahat ng may sakit at matapos na ang pandemyang ito (Lord Nazarene, may you always protect us and keep us out of harm's way and may we never get sick. May all the sick be healed and may this pandemic be over),” another devotee wrote.
Despite the challenges brought about by the health crisis, devotees expressed their gratitude to the Black Nazarene for the blessings they have received, while others asked for forgiveness for their sins.
Church officials had earlier urged devotees to observe this year’s traslacion at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and instead hear masses online.
Every year, millions of devotees flock to the streets of Manila to participate in the traditional traslacion procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, passing through the streets of Quiapo and Sta. Cruz in Manila.
But due the ongoing threat of COVID-19, church officials and local authorities cancelled this year’s grand procession to prevent further spread of the virus.
As of 6:30 a.m., the crowd at the vicinity of Quiapo Church was around 20,000 people, according to the Manila Police District.