The annual blessing of the replicas of the revered Black Nazarene has begun Monday, Dec. 27 and will be held until Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) in Manila.
Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said, the traditional blessing will be held for three days this year to avoid crowding.
"We will have a three-day blessing of replicas instead of only one day in order to avoid crowding and to follow social distancing,” Fr. Badong said.
The Church leader said they have also begun sending images of the Black Nazarene to the provinces since Monday. A replica of the revered image was sent to Atimonan, Quezon on December 27 and to the Baguio Cathedral on Dec. 28.
As a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus, the Quiapo Church earlier announced the cancellation of the annual Traslacion procession next year, which is attended by millions of devotees.
On Thursday, Dec. 30, the Quiapo Church will hold its annual thanksgiving motorcade procession. Fr. Badong said devotees may light a candle on the sidewalk on the route of the procession.
Meanwhile, holy masses at the Quiapo Church will be held by the hour on Friday, Dec. 31 from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. The New Year’s Eve mass will be celebrated at 8 p.m.